Author Archives: Dreamaticus

Identification of an eighteenth century island greenhouse (Rousse)

Posted on January 27, 2025 by Dreamaticus

‘It looks eighteenth century to me. Do you know the architect?’ asked the super-snobby woman seated with her grandmother on my mother-in-law’s sofa. Whatever gave her the impression that I would know anything about an ancient greenhouse on an island … Continue reading →

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Vintage car escapes bombing (Rousse)

Posted on January 27, 2025 by Dreamaticus

With the others, I observed the arrival of the Rolls Royce from my vintage Riley. It glided around the corner and parked outside the long cottage. A fleet of shiny black SUVs followed, carrying men in matching suits carrying binoculars. … Continue reading →

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The Shoreditch Dachshund Challenge (Belle)

Posted on January 27, 2025 by Dreamaticus

I had been busy flirting with the owner of the new antique shop, hoping he would give me the address of a secret auction house. However, the longer he refused to share this information, the more obsessed with him I … Continue reading →

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The pensioners’ orgy (Belle)

Posted on January 21, 2025 by Dreamaticus

As my friend parked our bright blue car on the high street, I spotted my friend T walking through the front door of a house. This came as a surprise to me as I hadn’t seen him since he died … Continue reading →

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Mother in a care home (Rousse)

Posted on January 15, 2025 by Dreamaticus

We had some explaining to do when my father returned from Canada. Why, he demanded, had the three of us – my two sisters and I – placed our mother in a care home?

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Rude relations (Rousse)

Posted on January 12, 2025 by Dreamaticus

My sister J and her husband M decided to move to Edinburgh. They took a quick look at my flat, pulled out a pad of paper, and drew up some plans. Their big idea was to buy my flat and … Continue reading →

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Oxford University cheat (Rousse)

Posted on January 10, 2025 by Dreamaticus

HVJ’s father passed on the telephone message. ‘Your daughter N is struggling with a final year essay. Please could you help?’ I couldn’t believe that it had come to this: Oxford undergraduates using their mothers as ghost writers.

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Mistaken for a grandfather (Rousse)

Posted on January 10, 2025 by Dreamaticus

The children ran into the room and spotted TPR in the corner. ‘That old man must be your grandpa’ said one to the other. TPR was not impressed.

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From Leeds to Shibden Hall (Rousse)

Posted on January 10, 2025 by Dreamaticus

I was in Leeds on a sofa with HVJ and HVJ’s lover. HVJ’s husband RJ sat opposite us. I had no idea what HVJ was trying to prove, but I winced when she and her lover openly embraced one another. … Continue reading →

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PhD poser (Rousse)

Posted on January 3, 2025 by Dreamaticus

I had never heard a voicemail greeting like this before. My sister J started her message in the conventional way, then launched into a long diatribe about the recruitment of PhD students. Very few of her friends, if any, would … Continue reading →

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