Author Archives: Dreamaticus

Snogs for shoes (Rousse)

Why was this always happening to me? I’d show someone a little kindness and the next thing they expected was a snog. In this case it wasn’t the usual hardship: I quite fancied S. I explained to him, however, that … Continue reading →

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Cousins versus a phone call at St Pancras Station (Rousse)

I took AM’s phone call just a few steps from where I last left her in the Betjeman Arms at St Pancras Station. We chatted amiably until my attention was distracted by the comings and goings of a group of … Continue reading →

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The shame of Jonathan Ross’ brother’s criminal career (Rousse)

My sister J was a criminal mastermind. Her two children served as the key members of her gang. My mentor – who would eventually become my partner provided that I proved myself – was one of Jonathan Ross’ brothers (although … Continue reading →

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Redundancies at the V&A and a pair of curious twins (Rousse)

Belle and I were at the same conference with a surprisingly large number of employees of the Victoria and Albert Museum, all of whom were about to be made redundant. I mentioned to them that Sir Mark Jones was a … Continue reading →

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A college education and life as a call girl (Belle)

In a large hall in an American high school I was amused to see three students wearing Aston Villa shirts watching Match of the Day on a big screen. As I looked closer, I realised that the students had arranged … Continue reading →

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Oil struck in the Pentland Hills (Rousse)

First we were amazed to hear that a tiny Middle Eastern prince had popped over for a round of golf at our local club. Then we were astonished to witness streams flowing uphill over the Pentland Hills. The biggest shock … Continue reading →

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Ab Fab’s Patsy Stone meets Sir Edwin Lutyens (Rousse)

The main problem with our kitchen was that it was a five minute drive from the rest of our house. The “room” itself was a low level crumbling shack sitting in an unkempt garden. Nobody had bothered with the housework … Continue reading →

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School reunion imposter unmasked in Yorkshire (Rousse)

A second school reunion was organised after the success of the 2011 event. This time it was held in the Yorkshire village of Robin Hood’s Bay in a beautiful posh restaurant that looked over the beach. Kev F Sutherland drove … Continue reading →

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Planning for University interviews by tandem (Rousse)

When I’d promised that I would take my sister S to her university interviews I had not appreciated how hard it would be to organise transport. It was particularly difficult to work out travel plans around her afternoon appointment at … Continue reading →

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French homework help (Rousse)

This was shameful. Not only had I little idea of how to correct my nephew PF’s French homework, but I also incorrectly “corrected” the work of another person who had been helping him. Exasperated I confessed my lost talents. “Didn’t … Continue reading →

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