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Aida Austin

'The truth is the more my daughter reads about Tragics, the more I identify with them'

'The truth is the more my daughter reads about Tragics, the more I identify with them'

Friday night, and my eldest daughter is home before leaving soon to do a master’s in cognitive neuropsychology at Edinburgh.

Sat, 18 Jun, 2016

God knows how women manage to have hot flushes in Ireland. They should be so lucky — all that rain and cold

God knows how women manage to have hot flushes in Ireland. They should be so lucky — all that rain and cold

MONDAY morning, and I have the house phone to hand when it rings.

Sat, 11 Jun, 2016

'Nothing bar an act of God can stop us from boarding that aircraft'

'Nothing bar an act of God can stop us from boarding that aircraft'

Saturday, 7pm, London.

Sat, 04 Jun, 2016

The odds for mutual parental enjoyment are not looking good

The odds for mutual parental enjoyment are not looking good

Sat, 28 May, 2016

'Tomayto, tomato....ongoing search for common ground'

'Tomayto, tomato....ongoing search for common ground'

Friday evening, London — and my eldest son is discussing the provisions he has made for our entertainment this weekend.

Sat, 21 May, 2016

I shall be staying far away from this place, out of harm’s way. Safe from insult on my birthday.

I shall be staying far away from this place, out of harm’s way. Safe from insult on my birthday.

1pm. I am upstairs in the Emporium, lying underneath a table, working on its legs.

Sat, 07 May, 2016

She is wearing her usual air of ‘colourful past’ and bright red lipstick

She is wearing her usual air of ‘colourful past’ and bright red lipstick

Monday, midday. I am walking to work with my head lowered, just to be on the safe side.

Sat, 30 Apr, 2016

I’d respond to my husband but that would mean lifting my head into a typhoon

I’d respond to my husband but that would mean lifting my head into a typhoon

IT’S 4.30pm in Cork and my husband and I are setting off towards the airport on foot, at a fast trot.

Sat, 23 Apr, 2016

"That Girlfriend has put an end to all that ghastly online dating your poor sister had to do", says my mother.

"That Girlfriend has put an end to all that ghastly online dating your poor sister had to do", says my mother.

Home, 11.30am. Tomorrow, my sister flies in from London to celebrate my birthday with me, accompanied by her new girlfriend whom I’ll be meeting for the first time.

Sat, 16 Apr, 2016

We gaze at the two chickens my sister has discarded outside. On top of each chicken is a white cat. The cats stare back at us, with chicken-blood grimaces.

We gaze at the two chickens my sister has discarded outside. On top of each chicken is a white cat. The cats stare back at us, with chicken-blood grimaces.

7pm, Sligo, my eldest brother’s house. My husband and I have just arrived for a family visit.

Sat, 09 Apr, 2016