Author Archives: Dreamaticus

A neglected guest witnesses wax flowers, uncovers a property tax dodge, and sticks up for non-smokers (Rousse)

I visited J and GC at their new house in the US. They had relocated there for G’s job. His role now extended beyond sound production and included procurement. These days star-struck hopefuls would approach him seeking fame and fortune … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Brothel bedroom shocker (Rousse)

It was so much worse than I feared. Not only was the house incredibly untidy, the whole top floor now served as a makeshift brothel. I hurried upstairs to collect my e-reader, unaware of the new purpose of my bedroom.  … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Unexpected side effects (Belle)

An ex-boyfriend presented me with a small pyramid of white powder on a silver platter, like an old-fashioned butler. As soon as I approached him, with my finger outstretched, I developed chickenpox.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Mother’s ruin (Belle)

My mother and I returned home late – it was 1:30 in the morning. The street was packed with badly parked cars. I was even more confused when I let myself into the house to find it full of unknown … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

An award-winning Australian and pelicans (Rousse)

On the bus back to the airport at the end of the conference, the organisers informed us that there would be an award for the most friendly delegate. From the looks on their faces, I guessed that everyone felt the … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Online games in bed (Rousse)

My depiction of Iceland in our game on online charades was a hopeless failure. I had hoped that the others might have realised that my shuddering body represented a cold country. I would have had more success if (a) my … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stirrup hairdressing (Rousse)

I sat at a make-shift hairdresser’s chair with my feet fixed in stirrups. A man attended to my hair, then a woman demanded £60 – for a simple dry trim. What a waste of money.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dealing with an extra last minute dinner guest (Rousse)

We struggled to find L and EC’s bungalow as TPR led us in circles around the small estate. We were about to give up on our lunch date when we saw EC in the street hunting for us. EC’s face … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Solo bikes, tandems, and trandems shelter from heavy Hebridean traffic (Rousse)

The Isle of Harris was now such a popular holiday destination that hundreds of cars and camper vans surged through Tarbert and up into the hills whenever the CalMac ferry docked. The traffic was so heavy that all cyclists knew … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Prince Harry’s sobs (Rousse)

With hands held tight and fingers inter-meshed, the three of us hugged one another close so that Prince Harry could sob safely into our coats. I started to pull away. ‘We’re almost at the Balmoral gate’, I whispered. ‘The press … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment