Pain And Gain*

“You’re early,” my trainer says, smiling, at nine o’clock this morning. “Yes,” I say.  “The panther’s gone.  Been awake since six thirty nine and…” “I’m just going to put my bag in the office,” she says, tying her long hair up.  With her hair down, she could be any pretty girl.  Hair up, she’s transformed […]

Someone Else’s Skin*

“Your skin looks terrible,” the panther says.  He’s draped over my desk at the office. “It will heal, eventually,” I tell him. “Seb will be appalled when he sees you,” the panther says, fixing me with his amber stare.  “You must have put on another half a stone since you last saw him, you’ve got […]

The Beast Must Die*

4.15pm and already it’s almost dark outside.  Am writing this on my bike at the gym.  Didn’t make it here this morning, due to an unusually late night last night with my writing chums.  So am here now, despite epic levels of can’t-be-bothered.  Know that will be pleased with self, even if just write this […]

Murder On The Astral Plane*

Waking up with a start from my afternoon sleep, looking at my watch, I see that it’s 6.32pm.  Opening the curtains, I realise that it’s dark outside. “I’m hungry,” the panther says, kneading my tummy with his paws. “You know where the kitchen is,” I tell him.  “I’m not eating yet.  Have to write the […]

Death In The City Of Light*

“Where are you?xxx” Seb texts at 7.01pm this evening. “Parentals.  In the middle of supper.  Call you when am finished,” I fire back. This gives me thirty seven minutes to write a blog, as have finished supper and it’s now 7.23pm.  Will call him at eight o’clock.  The parentals have gone out, leaving the fluffy […]

The Panther’s Claw*

I’m striding down the main road with the panther.  We’re going to be late for my course.  The bus has dropped us nowhere-near-where-we-need-to-be.  Am certain that last time it stopped outside the building.  Suddenly, the panther stops and stares into a shop window. Coming to a halt next to him, I see a model panther […]

Even Dogs In The Wild*

Sitting on my bike at the gym gazing out of the window.  Outside, the sky is grey and leaves blow in the wind.  The ground is covered with brown and yellow leaves. Missed my training session this morning but am here now: better late than never.  Have left the parentals for twenty four hours to […]

Midnight Mystery*

Am standing at the bus stop at 5.28pm.  The sky is midnight black, as dark as my panther who stands beside me.  It seems impossible that earlier today was walking in bright sunshine.   Buses-that-aren’t-my-one pull up at the stop, fill up with passengers and then depart.   Painventory: 1.  Sore throat 2.  Earache 3. […]

The Sleep That Rescues*

“What’s going on?” Mum says, walking into my room, sitting on the edge of my bed.  “It’s six o’clock.” Sitting up in bed, rubbing my eyes, I say: “what time are the guests coming?”  Wow.  Six o’clock: I’ve been asleep for three and a half hours. “Seven.  And you’ve got to have a bath and […]

Monday And The Murdered Man*

“Hello, Tanya” Dad says as he answers the phone.  “Are you at the office?” “Yes,” I say.  “Well – I’ve popped out to get some lunch but, yes, I’ve made it to the office.  The thing is – I’ve run out of my antidepressants and…” “Well we’ve got loads here,” Dad says. “Would someone be […]