Haunted

While her mum may have returned in bird-form, Ashley’s also haunted by the last argument they had before she died. She continues to try and dodge talking about it with the therapist voice inside her head, which her brain has conjured up as a proxy, since she refuses to seek real help from a qualified professional.

There are lots of other voices in there too, including some archaeologists she’s having a fight with, and some cult members that reject her – despite her superior hair-braiding skills.

And while she revisits her mum’s final weeks, and their shifting dynamic, she also explains the logic behind her phobia of the sea, reveals some marriage stats that will shock you, and shares her deeply questionable/psychologically scarring method for crying on camera.

Hilariously poignant and deeply personal, this unique perspective on grief will resonate with anyone who has also lost a parent.

Produced by Julia Sutherland
Sound Design by Sean Kerwin
A Dabster production for BBC Radio 4