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The Unringing
As Halloween’s end approached, the tiny village of St Egbert’s collectively shivered. Nobody knew who rang the church bell – everyone was past caring anyway, trusting in prayer instead.Each year at...
View ArticleJust Another Saturday Night
More on the Halloween theme.Jean, Ethel and Florence, as usual on Saturday nights, were counting their winnings: it was the 743rd successive Saturday that they’d won the National Lottery and their...
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A Parliamentary Visitor
The House of Commons doorbell rang. Security guard Black Rod hated Halloween.A well-known local lad waited expectantly. “Trick or treat!”Black Rod smiled condescendingly. “Guido, that’s a silly...
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Romantic Fireworks
“Hi there.”“Hi. Weren’t you here last year?”“Must have been someone that looked just like me. My name’s Roman.”“Mine’s Catherine. Roman? That Polish?”“Chinese, actually. Not long arrived in the...
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Sweet Dreams
Amy awoke to knocking on her bedroom window. She’d slept poorly since Matt had left her; tonight’s gale-force winds made things worse. Assuming that the tapping was merely the wind tapping tree...
View ArticleA Fine Romance
The evening was going well. They’d met through www.findmyperfectmate.com; now they sat in a city-centre cafe. Mark called Shelley ‘brainy’, but he was pretty intelligent himself. They shared many...
View ArticleSpectrum Conference Centre, Oslo: November 2015
Norwegian Prime Minister Solberg arrives, exchanges pleasantries with the waiting press, then disappears into a room offstage. She’s followed by, in turn, Obama, Cameron, Hollande, Putin, even Pope...
View ArticleMissed Opportunity
Ten years ago I found myself checking out of a hotel at the same time as an American billionaire, his wife and a well-known comedienne. We were there on a cut-price deal; they weren’t.In the years...
View ArticleStar Wars XVII: Conquering The Masters
This was written around the time of the Star Wars VII movie, of course. (Long ago, on a golf course far away...) Sergio Skywalker approached the hermit-like jedi master on the practice ground....
View ArticleSpectrum Conference Centre, Oslo: November 2015
Norwegian Prime Minister Solberg arrives, exchanges pleasantries with the waiting press, then disappears into a room offstage. She’s followed by, in turn, Obama, Cameron, Hollande, Putin, even Pope...
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Ill-Starred By Moonlight
They’d met in a club, a holiday romance; one thing had led to another.Now they were lying on the beach in the warm night.“I love you, Claire,” said Asif. “Will you marry me?”She knew he wasn’t being...
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Ready For Santa Claus
This is inspired by a real person.She was convinced that Santa Claus was an illegal immigrant, a terrorist and that his sack contained a bomb with which to blow up everyone up. She also believed he...
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Nativity Scene No.1
“Sure you got the address right?” asked Bally. He and Caz were getting irritated. “Stable Lane,” snapped Mel. “Lotta money riding on this, Mel,” Caz said, threateningly. “I’m doin’ my best. Even Land...
View ArticleNativity Scene No.2: World In Union
“She’s this way,” the father said, beaming with pride. “Kind of you to come.” Six men and women filed into the bedroom. The girl slept in her cot, surrounded by soft toys: donkeys, sheep, cows. “We’ve...
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All In the Name Of?
It was all over in minutes. The two men had been arrested, tried, found guilty and condemned, all in accordance with law. A crowd had gathered near the gallows. No children, though. Someone pronounced...
View ArticleAt The Weight Loss Clinic.
Dr Sinclair’s weight loss clinic was always busier in January. The woman in front was particularly embarrassed, however. “I can’t find any clothes to fit me any more, doctor,” she said, rather ashamed....
View ArticleThere's A Starman Waiting In The Sky
It's a strange world. In the week David Bowie dies and Donald Trump leads the Republican race for US President, one wonders which one is on the wrong planet.The Starman was waiting in the sky: this was...
View ArticleThe Hanging Judge
For Burns' night...In the dock, the prisoner stood, ready for the inevitable. The judge studied him sternly.“Prisoner,” she said, “you have been found guilty of failing to write a story for Friday...
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Birth Of A Legend
The bad week for rock music continued with the death of Glen Frey of the Eagles. Some might recognise the parts of this story that are semi-true. On a corner in Winslow, Arizona, two singers argued...
View ArticleThe Boot On The Other Foot
Amelia, a second-year history student, reviewed books for the student magazine. Seeing an advert in a local bookshop, she’d signed up for a free author event offering pre-event wine and requested a...
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