Marilyn #16 September 1961

In the middle of a storm-lashed night, Yvonne slips out through her fire escape, chasing a name—Denbymoor—she’s only ever seen on a train station poster. With Middlepool behind her and no plan but to disappear, she arrives in a quiet town and seeks shelter at Clare Cottage, asking Mrs. Taylor about the room she’s willing to let.

In a quiet moment on a city street, Tab notices a girl buying a large lolly from a van every time it stops—and soon finds a sweet way to catch her attention. What starts as a playful pursuit takes a surprising turn when Tab learns the lollies aren’t for her at all, but for a dog, and the girl’s feelings about them are far from sweet.

In "If You Really Cared," Janet, raised by her aunt after losing her parents, carries a quiet vow: never to blame someone she loves for not caring. Now, her boyfriend’s deliberate attempts to provoke jealousy force her to confront that promise in a relationship where love feels like a test.

In "null," Sue shares with Peg the joy of her secret engagement to Derek, a moment of quiet excitement that quickly unravels when a careless friend lets the truth slip. As the news spreads and Sue learns her parents not only know but approve, the thrill of the secret begins to fade—leaving her wondering what comes next.

In "null," Ray pushes Julie to enter the beauty queen competition, but as the finals approach, his growing unease becomes clear—his encouragement hides a quiet hope she’ll step back before the final round.

In "To Know Him," Ava finds herself drawn to Rusty, a guarded jazz clarinetist who’s wary of romance. When he’s offered a big break, her encouragement pushes him toward a new life—but their paths diverge in ways neither expected. Written by the team behind *Marilyn*, this poignant three-page story captures a fleeting connection that lingers long after the music fades.