Category Archives: Uncategorized

Belle’s diagnosis

The phone rang and a man said “I am calling from Lewisham Hospital with your test results”. “Oh”, I said, feigning interest. “Yes. You have pneumonia. Have a good day”.

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Shall I stay or shall I go now? (Rousse)

While TPR slept I slipped down to breakfast then paid the hotel bill. We’d been tempted to stay an extra night, largely because there was a strong possibility that RG would be arriving later in the day after a week’s … Continue reading

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The return of Rousse’s red Peugeot 205

There were so many questions: Why had my parents “rescued” my red Peugeot 205 (sold on in 2008) and booked it into repair at a garage (of which we knew nothing) at the other side of town? Did it really … Continue reading

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A trandem, tourists and a traffic warden (Rousse)

We were bound to be killed, all because JH refused to wear the high-visibility jacket that I was offering him. Even though KT and I could be seen in our yellow regalia, it was really important that JH be visible … Continue reading

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Belle’s bad hair day

One set of parents lived in New York. The other set in San Francisco. So who would the young couple spend Christmas with? This was NOT my type of film and when the girl tricked the boy into flying to … Continue reading

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Rousse’s reunion

It was July 2011. As was the case on the days of our 10th and 20th anniversary parties, the 1986 French graduates from the University of Birmingham were enjoying a reunion lunch in the blazing Brummie sunshine. This time we … Continue reading

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Chimps, sheep and a dog (Belle)

In the grounds of the stately home, only the chimpanzees were allowed to walk on the grass. The buildings were beautiful, yellow bricked and regency. We were here to reunite a teenage boy with the chimp that had rescued him … Continue reading

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Rousse’s honour and shame

Impressive, or a lack of imagination? They’d named the new wing after me! I first noticed when I looked for the time on one of the branded clocks. What a shame then that I would die from starvation in a … Continue reading

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Belle goes Dutch with Obama

I knew exactly what to do to get the Obama campaign back on track. I was breaking into voters’ houses and tuning the radios to Dutch left-leaning radio stations. My team agreed – “that will do it”. I managed to … Continue reading

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Rousse’s new domestic arrangements

My new routine was to take my weekly bath every Friday in the claw-foot Victorian tub to be found in the main corridor at QMC in Corstorphine. Some people complained that it blocked the way to the library, but anyone … Continue reading

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