Tag Archives: pen

Car lock-out at the agricultural show (Rousse)

Dressed only in my light white cotton nightie, I was locked out of my mother’s car at an agricultural show. I looked like a sad ghost wandering past the pens of livestock and craft stalls in the vast field, hunting … Continue reading

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Evidence of a wife’s affair (Rousse)

When SO’N walked into the shop, the man on the counter shot me a worried glance. In his hand he was holding the fountain pen that would give away SO’N’s wife L’s affair. It was now my responsibility to get … Continue reading

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A reluctant comedy writer (Rousse)

A bunch of friends came to visit us. Some stayed in our main rental flat with the enormous high-sided bath, while others lodged in the smaller one next door. (We also owned a very run-down flat in Leith, although neither … Continue reading

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Touching the winking Prince of Wales (Rousse)

William, Prince of Wales, followed me through the house, pen and paper in hand. Ignoring the antique furniture, he was most interested in the pictures – and completely oblivious to the mess in all the rooms. This was so much … Continue reading

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A dream audit for house contents insurance renewal (Rousse)

Since I couldn’t visit the property to check in person, I reckoned that the best way to audit my mother’s belongings for the house contents insurance renewal was to dream myself there. TPR agreed to ‘come’ with me, and we … Continue reading

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Dangers of regifting unwanted presents (Rousse)

I was on stage facing a line of dignitaries, including Donald Leach and former Moderator of the Church of Scotland Alison Elliot, to be awarded my latest undergraduate degree (classification 2:2). I took great care when asked to sign for … Continue reading

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Richard Wilson, a Pharaoh, and the representation of women at the Royal Society of Edinburgh (Rousse)

Richard Wilson remembered me from the days that we shared a lane in the Glenogle swimming pool. He therefore greeted me as a friend in the members’ room of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. The actor and I were both … Continue reading

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Jo Jo the poison pen email writer pushes stressed academic over the edge (Rousse)

I was in the habit of commuting by train to the headquarters of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in London. There I worked in the basement on an unending series of grant applications. From time to time … Continue reading

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Travelling by minibus for tea with the Queen at Holyrood Palace (Rousse)

I was about to take my seat in the theatre when LF grabbed me from behind. ‘Hey’, she said, ‘Someone forgot the arrangement to meet outside!’ It was true. I had agreed to see her prior to the show, not … Continue reading

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Entire Georgian terrace destroyed by fire (Rousse)

When we returned from our early morning run we noticed smoke leaking through the main door of number 15. We took no action. Two hours later the fire had spread along the street and firefighters were banging on every door. … Continue reading

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