Category Archives: Uncategorized

New York (in)conveniences (Belle)

I was disheartened to find that the New York Cathedral was little more than a flea market, selling tacky religious icons and badly designed and poorly executed ‘stained glass paperweights’. To make matters worse, I discovered ‘toilet sharing’ was the … Continue reading

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Poaching students in pyjamas (Rousse)

“Baking croissants in class does not represent advanced study at Honours level” was my justification for transferring the two students from the rival institution into my own. It also has to be said that they begged me to take them … Continue reading

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Graeme Garden’s elasticated stockings and a railway car chase (Rousse)

Graeme Garden sat opposite me in the waiting area at BBC Radio 4 reception. He was my host for the day. On the basis of my impressive track record of developing panel games, I’d been summoned to help create three … Continue reading

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Arson at the abbey, two weddings, a ‘death’ and a strange theft (Belle)

In a dream within a dream I travelled to Wales to attend a wedding at an ancient abbey. On arrival I was astonished to learn that the bride and groom had planned to cover the cost of the wedding by … Continue reading

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Nun murder: rally driver Rousse carries clues in her car

I drove the red hire car like a maniac rally driver, screeching round corners and off-roading where necessary. This was not deliberate, but due to a lack of familiarity with the car’s controls. Shod in wellies, I also kept missing … Continue reading

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Charles Dickens meets Strictly Come Dancing and the X Factor (Belle)

The plot of this generic Dickens work had been dreadfully bowdlerised and it was no surprise to me that it had been snuck into the BBC2 schedules with no fanfare. Part Mr Fezziwig’s ball, part Strictly Come Dancing and part … Continue reading

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Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall – taxi driver (Rousse)

How do you reach Glasgow – three hours away by road – for a focus group at 8pm, when it’s already 7pm? The answer: hire the world’s fastest taxi driver, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall! We all squeezed into the Range … Continue reading

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Belle collects her inheritance

The letter informed me that my legacy was awaiting collection on the train platform. I saw other friends of the deceased rummaging in a wicker basket as my steam train drew into the station. They informed me that I could … Continue reading

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Macdonald clan secrets (Rousse)

The Right Honourable Godfrey James Macdonald of Macdonald, 8th Lord Macdonald, Chief of the Name and Arms of Macdonald, High Chief of Clan Donald and 34th hereditary Chief of Clan Donald popped out to post a letter. Just ahead of … Continue reading

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Time-travelling aunt fulfils her duties as a godparent (Rousse)

The children’s names were listed in sibling groups on a whiteboard. The mothers referred to the list as they discussed godparents and presents. Although he was male and based in the Republic of Ireland (where this scheme did not operate), … Continue reading

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