"Love at first sight, and the pitfall of mistrust."
Business was slow at Howie’s Music. A couple of sixteen-year-old girls, out way too late, were popping bubblegum and looking at the top forty offers. Claire was already sick to death of Duran Duran’s new single A View to a...
"The legendary Miss Alice faces the end of an era."
"Miss Alice took a last heady sniff of the buttercups beneath the window of her former office. Over time her various gardeners had tried to tear them out – poisonous, they’d told her, and a weed to boot – but...
"Take him, as you must, all-devouring Time. Yet leave the fruits of his genius untouched."
December 20th, Day of Saint Dominic of Silos.Months ago, quite by accident, I discovered in my study a hidden spyhole in the oak panelling by the alcove in which my desk is situated. This cleverly constructed contrivance has allowed me,...
"Enter our eponymous heroine"
San Francisco, 1935.xGreen. She absolutely hated the colour green with a passion. Yet everywhere she turned at the funeral, she saw green. Green wreaths, green buttonholes, green hats. Green for Ireland. Ironically, her late husband, Jack 'Piggy' Malone, wasn't even...
"Follow the adventures of Emily Summers as she enters the employ of Lord and Lady Blackheart and their outrageous libertine household."
After completing my education and a spell as the village teacher it was time I went and explored the world. To this end I had answered an advert for the role of Governess with Lord Blackheart at Wymbourne Abbey.As I...
"This ancient Greek femboy bath attendant looking kinda…"
Leonidas sighed as he hefted his pack. The noonday sun seared the back of his neck as he trudged wearily home. As a soldier, one would assume he'd be used to the constant marching, but marching towards something was very...
"Mischievous Lorraine toys with Edgar at the river."
Edgar was still waist-deep in the water, heading for the riverbank, when he realized his clothes were missing. He'd left them neatly folded and within easy reach. Looking around in bewilderment, he saw no sign of them.And then he heard...
"A pastor's wife finds she can't always serve as a good example to others."
My husband gingerly picked up the small book, as if he feared touching it might contaminate him. Sitting to the side of his desk, I looked from the book's obscene cover to Jacob's face, wondering if I would discern more...
"A series of naughty stories told by a group of mediaeval traveller’s on their way to London from Yorkshire at the time of the Black Death"
IntroductionIn the late Middle Ages the Black Death, the greatest and most deadly outbreak of infectious disease in history, ravaged Europe, eventually killing between one third and a half of the population.The disease, which is caused by the bacterium Yersinia...
"Sleepless and lonely, an ancient Egyptian girl longs for he lover."
Dear lamp, ‘t is you I envyFor by his bed, you lie.You watch and keep my lover;The light within my eye.And though this dread night divides us.And though the road is long,I pray the sweet breeze will aid meAnd bring...