The Bennets won't even see us coming I was with my father when he once asked Ian (M) Banks wether his preference was to write novels set in the real world, or to write his very much loved space operas. The cherished, but late, author replied that it was a constant effort for him not …
‘I feel sick,’ Rosie said. ‘And it hurts when I breathe. What’s wrong with me?’ ‘You’ve been diagnosed with Chronic Pulmonary Obstructive Disease.’ ‘What’s that?’ ‘It doesn’t matter because that’s not what you have.’ ‘It isn’t?’ ‘No, the doctors believe that your respiratory system has had a severe reaction to the nitrogen oxides in the …
Nurses came and went. They wore blue uniforms and mostly revolved around a chaotic, unorganised desk, littered with papers and folders. What I assumed to be a doctor appeared, and she was immediately surrounded by an explosion of activity, as the nurses and other staff vied for her attention. I gathered from the exasperated whispers …
Dishevelled nicotine addicts besmirched the white-walled arch of the main gates of the hospital. A crumbling statue of a dead king stared down as I approached a black woman in a blue uniform. She sucked on a short pipe and when she exhaled, great plumes of cold white vapour poured out of her mouth and …
They had stolen my youth. Gone was the caramel smoothness of my skin and the rounded sheen of my boyhood. I was a man. Hard lines and a thick jaw. I saw nothing in the eyes that looked dully back at me. I turned my face left and right in the light. My eyes were …
Chapter One - David ‘Father, It is dark. Father, it is dark in here. Father, can you hear me? Father? Father?’ Time passed. I do not know how much, but it was too much. Too often I am left waiting in the dark. This time I am minded not to go back. ‘Father. Please let …
I found some clothes in a locker down the corridor and put them on. Black trousers, white collared shirt. Then I went for a walk. Outside, it was a chilly spring evening but I turned down my temperature sensitivity settings and felt more comfortable. Under the weak sun and in the fetid breeze that was …
Continue reading Humanity @ 13% – Chapter One (three of six)
Hold on little fellow Last weekend Mrs H and I participated in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch and having recently joined the organisation, we expected to make a big splash. We’ve been conscientiously feeding them for many years, and now have their trust. On any given day, we see charms of greenfinch, clouds of blackbirds, …
Not a penny, but close enough I wanted to explore what can be done with just one penny. These days, a penny doesn't go very far. It would probably only get you a single lick of a Magnum, half a snort from a Flying Saucer, or perhaps one toe of a Monster Munch, but there's …
I am a good dog. I love my walks with the family. But Joggers really make my day. They wear bright clothes and jiggle towards me, arms flapping, legs akimbo. And if I’m a really lucky dog, some of those legs will be bare. Perhaps their calves will be sweaty, and I can lick the …
