Neptune and the “Bombe Alaska;” part I
Working in swish hotels and restaurants during my university years turned out well for me. During the day, I was the full-time student haunting lecture theatres and libraries. In the evening, I transformed myself. I exchanged my tee shirt, joggers and jeans for my black trousers, polished shoes and tailored waistcoat and entered the […]
Grumpy and the Chateaubriand; part II
You do remember where we left the story last week, don’t you? A group of eager American tourists looking for somewhere to have dinner had just burst into Grumpy’s empty dining room. Technically, the dining room was still open. Grumpy slid off the bar stool, adjusted his bowtie, and turned instantly into the […]
Grumpy and the Chateaubriand; part I
It’s late, and I’m sitting up here in my attic leafing through one of my early little books of inspiration . I’ve kept them all, you see, and they’ve served me well. Not only are they a treasure-trove of memories, but they’ve provided valuable inspiration and material for my books and characters.The need to write comes […]
Winston and the fire warden; part II
You’ll remember we had just discovered Winston in Clive’s room. I had come up with a cunning plan to retrieve the troublesome escapee threatening Tom-Tom’s career, and was about to reveal my brainwave to her. ‘You’re the fire warden-right?’ I asked. ‘I am,’ said Tom-Tom. ‘Get your helmet and a blanket. I’ll give […]
Winston and the fire warden; part I
To have your case adjourned on Monday morning after having worked through the entire weekend with little or no sleep, is every barrister’s nightmare. Sadly, that was exactly what had happened to me on that occasion. I was staring down the barrel of a week without work. Bugger! Disappointed, I walked back to my […]
Charlotte (now referred to as Tom-Tom) and the Brothers Grimm; part II
Well, here’s the rest of the story. As you will remember, Tom-Tom and I were sipping champagne in the little bistro down the road from my chambers. She had promised to tell me all about the Brothers Grimm. I had just refilled her glass and was waiting for her to begin. Tom-Tom looked […]
