Deadly Election*

Polling Day here in the UK and it’s been exciting so far.  Up at 7.45am for Spin: “Spin election special: vote Fitness Party,” the instructor says. It seems to be the Polling Station Selfie election on social media.  It’s more difficult than you’d think to take a photo of yourself with a “Polling Station” sign […]

The Force Awakens*

     “This is just a trial run, to make sure we’ve set everything up correctly,” the nurse says.  She has pink and gold streaks in her hair.   I’m lying on my back and the white tunnel of the CT scanner is in front of me.  It moves towards me.  It’s cold in here, […]

Dances With Wolves*

“Are you nearly here?” I ask Arjen when I bump into him on Facebook messenger.  He is visiting from Amsterdam on Friday. “Hahaha just a couple of days waiting,” he says.  “Which tube station should I take?” He names the correct station. “Yes that’s right,” I say. Unlike MediaChap, Arjen will be able to use the GPS […]

A Valentine Story*

“Any plans for the evening of 6th March?” The Facebook message says. It’s from Arjen in Amsterdam. Haven’t seen him since 18th October, just before my implant removal operation. “Don’t think so?” I reply. “Still have to show you my Galapagos pics,” Arjen says. “Yay! Are you coming to see me?” I say, and add […]

The Hard Problem

On way to see the new Stoppard play carrying my can’t-you-take-anything-out-of-that-is-there-a-body-in-there weekend bag. Or, more accurately, Mum’s bag. It’s covered in birds and filled with…don’t even know. Dresses, jeans, top, tights, sleepwear, phone charger, gym kit – in case there’s a gym at the hotel, trainers, wig, contact lenses. All the paraphernalia that one needs […]

The Night Of The Iguana

“I trust all is well on the other side of the North Sea,” Arjen messages. “It’s not too bad,” I reply. “Just recuperating from another operation. Feel sad about lack of invite to the Galapagos though.” “It was a family trip ten years in the making. Cost my brother and me an arm and a […]

Help!

The flat phone rings at an unearthly hour, jolting me out of a deep sleep. Ignoring the persistent ringing, I pull the covers up over my head and attempt to fall back to sleep. But this is not to be. The alarm kicks in, and I can’t ignore that on a Monday morning. Hauling myself […]