Tag Archives: World War 2

Gift – Or imagining the dark side.


We are writers. Imagination is our most powerful gift. Imagine the impossible – being a Spitfire pilot in a dogfight, being your sister, especially if you don’t have a sister. Then you have to imagine her brother or sister, too, who isn’t you. And you can safely imagine your dark side. Crime writers imagine theContinue reading “Gift – Or imagining the dark side.”

Life in a Vauxhall Velox


Camping in the 60s It’s 1961. My dad decides it’s time we see Scotland. We pack our camping stuff. He has 10 days paid leave and our 1953 Vauxhall Velox will carry everything for a family of four for a fortnight. It was a crazy car and he was so proud of it. 2.2 litreContinue reading “Life in a Vauxhall Velox”

Christian Values?


I’d like to tell you about the Reverend Gilbert, or Gobby Gilbert as we children referred to him, due to his predilection for spraying the front dozen rows with saliva during assemblies. Have a look at those jowls in the cricket team picture. He didn’t always soak the first years – only when he becameContinue reading “Christian Values?”

Gift – Or imagining the dark side.


We are writers. Imagination is our most powerful gift. Imagine the impossible – being a Spitfire pilot in a dogfight, being your sister, especially if you don’t have a sister. Then you have to imagine her brother or sister, too, who isn’t you. And you can safely imagine your dark side. Crime writers imagine theContinue reading “Gift – Or imagining the dark side.”