Short Stories

This is the first story in my 'Alter-Nativity' series. Basically some stories (with my tongue firmly shoved in my cheek) which show how the Nativity might have played out, if you had been there at the time. For this first story, just what was it that the shepherds were doing while they watched?

The second instalment in my alternative nativity. The shepherds have an unexpected encounter on the way to the stable.

We've all heard of Good King Wenceslas, particularly at this time of year, but was that always the case?

I was rather taken with the characters of Peregrine and Prudence in You'd Better Watch Out and I wondered what would happen if they took a similarly analytical approach to other holidays and celebrations, hence this

Peregrine and Prudence try out an old English festive tradition.

Peregrine and Prudence take advantage of V.E. Day to hone their entrepreneurial skills..

My grandson wanted a sequel to 'A Panda Called Mick ', so this is it. Being of an orderly mind, he wanted Packham to understand what was really going on this time, which is something of a tall order for a Chocolate Labrador but we've given it our best shot ;-)

My grandson had to create an imaginary creature for his remote English school work. In this exercise he had to describe the creature and explain its habitat and habits. This made me wonder what his two dogs, Packham and India, might make of it...

You know how, sometimes, you can only hear one side of a conversation but that tells you all you need to know? Well...

You may recall the Packham and india stories I wrote about the two Labradors at TURN Education during the first lockdown? These started out as bedtime stories for my grandson and, this time last year, I wrote a story about how Packham explained the workings of Christmas Eve to India, the younger dog. You can hear the story here. This is the story for this Christmas Eve, when things are a little different.

The fine young Lady and her maid from 'She Who Would Valiant Be' continue their adventure.

In which the ladies are transported and an unacceptable suggestion is made

In which Aefelthrith avoids a fate worse than death, but Gwladys doesn't!

Some of you may remember that I published some stories, originally written as bedtime stories for my grandson, that involved the two dogs at TURN Education (Packham and India) trying to make sense of their world. Amongst the things that they encountered were moving house and starting again somewhere entirely new, the arrival of all sorts of other animals, including ducks and donkeys, and latterly trying to understand what the pandemic was all about. Sadly, these stories had to come to an end when Packham became unexpectedly ill and died within a few days, leaving us all in shock. I haven't been able to write much more (other than a Christmas story) because India no longer had anyone to talk to, until now...

Rohan find that, in a multi-animal environment, not everyone loves him!

India is trying to snooze but her rather damp companion has other ideas!

Rohan is getting India's goat, until the goats nearly get him!

Rohan is concerned, so India goes to investigate.

Why is it that those who don't snore, are invariably paired with those who do?

India is taking her Christmas Eve responsibilities very seriously. Rohan? Not so much!

Is it 'goodwill to all men' on the Christmas Tree, I wonder? Or do the petty jealousies and general grouchiness of the festive season, spread there as well?

A little festive diversion away from my Undertakers saga, well, elements of it anyway

At Christmas, I like to take the opportunity to deviate, temporarily, from whatever saga Josiah and Archibald are currently involved in, and try a little seasonal nonsense. This is the first for 2024, there may well be others!

This is the third of my seasonal stories for 2024. The other two are Christmas Pan-to and And what did the robin do then...? . This one is a bit different from my usual fare, for which I apologise, but I felt compelled to write it. Hope you enjoy it!