Our Creative Writing Group met on Wednesday 07 January 2026 to hear a series of stories dealing with what can happen when one’s imagination is given full rein.

We had an exciting tale about a gambler needing money for a medical treatment only available in the USA, but not having sufficient funds. He decides to gamble his way to the money with a game of Monopoly played by a group of shady characters. We heard how a series of strategies led him to eventually winning the game and enough money for the treatment.

We had an intriguing story of a police interview which turned out to be a live, unscripted audition for a procedural detective drama to be broadcast on television, and the thoughts that went through the young actress’s mind as the various questions were put by the actors playing the police detectives.

We had a sad tale about the loneliness some people experience after the Christmas holiday, and the fearful bills that always seem to arrive after a happy period. There was also a mysterious tale about the contents of an old leather case found under a bed in a countryside Bed and Breakfast. Inside the case were two masks and a revolver, and we later heard of the death of the couple running the Bed and Breakfast after taking part in a television programme.

We also had a story from India with the difficulties arriving from an attempted forced marriage, and another story from a wealthy family comparing life in Nairobe with life in Central London.

Our next session will be on Wednesday 21 January 2026 and will feature the following topics: “Dicing with death”, “Looking forward to another year” and “Strange things left in a hotel room”.