Tag Archives: mother

Lost in Hexham (Rousse)

JS and I were my mother’s passengers in the tiny red car. Our route us along the dangerous cliffs of the north east coast of Northumberland, and then west along the A69 towards Hexham. We considered calling in on KA, … Continue reading

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A leap to death from a floating shopping trolley (Rousse)

We floated in our shopping trolleys high above the river on a beautiful summer’s day. Then the old lady – my friend’s mother – jumped. I knew that she didn’t stand a chance. Her neck broke the moment that her … Continue reading

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Unemployed Sunderland couple give daughter away (Rousse)

Who was this small dark-haired, short-legged child with a Scottish accent living with the mother of my childhood friend ECM? She couldn’t possibly be ECM’s little sister: her mother had been widowed for years. A neighbour (and known fantasist) suggested … Continue reading

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Methadone-infused sugar cones to cure addiction (Rousse)

The mother was at her wit’s end caring for a floppy middle-aged child whose only interest in life was her next fix. There was nothing that could be done except to sit and watch as the addict threw methadone-infused sugar … Continue reading

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A sudden death – with vegetables (Rousse)

I surprised K and her husband at their vegetable chests on Bruntsfield Links. I asked after K’s mother. They told me that she had died. This was a terrible shock. I knew that G had been ill, but I had … Continue reading

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Broad bean babies transform into aconites (Rousse)

My cousin EV asked if we could look after her newborn baby. I was very nervous about accepting the invitation, especially since the baby was only the size of a broad bean. It was obvious that this would be a … Continue reading

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Free babysitting deal is not all that it seems in Barcelona hotel (Rousse)

I was in Barcelona for work with TPR, although what we were actually doing there was unclear. My main interest was the beach (which I had missed completely on my last visit), and spending time with various friends who were … Continue reading

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Outer Hebrides cycle tour: the easy route (Rousse)

I was on a cycling tour of the Outer Hebrides with TPR, his mother, and his sister SG. I was very impressed with my own performance on a single bike – until I realised that SG was on a scooter … Continue reading

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A mother’s complicated love life (Rousse)

My mother claimed that she was not in a relationship with XY, even though she was sharing a bed with him. Her ‘real’ partner apparently lived in town.

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Ineffective Italian lessons (Rousse)

JC and I sat at the dinner table desperate to join in the conversation across the room. An Italian mother was making a hopeless attempt to teach her native language to her English-speaking children. Both JC and I could do … Continue reading

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