Bad Santa

Bad Santa

In a country village, Christmas has its own unique set of traditions. The businesses that surround the village also have theirs, none more enlivening than the office Christmas party when indiscretions are many, and certain ladies and gentlemen become too far hearty even for themselves. Samantha Ridley considered herself a stalwart of the village, but …

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Bad Santa Bauble

Extinction Rebellion

Martin and Celia were successful but discreet members of the Oxford Orpington Set. Martin, although living semi-retired in the country, still needed to cultivate his Hedge in the City. Celia, on the other hand, was a character from A Fish called Wanda. Frightfully British, terribly on it, but just not terribly aware. “Should we go? …

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Punch Cartoon No. 5

The Boonie

Revenge, they say, is a dish best served chilled. If that is the case, our Antipodean Cousins have a peculiar way of serving it up, especially where cricket and a picnic is concerned. Mark Hughes, known to friends and colleagues alike as Markie, had not played cricket since the under fifteens when he decided to …

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Horton Tarot Card

The Carpet Beater

It was a running joke. And then it wasn’t any more. For years Jim had commented on the possibilities of the Carper Beater. “What about it, Jules,” he would say, peering at her across the top of his thick spectacles. For years Julie had blocked him away with the straightest of bats. It all came …

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Horton Tarot Card

The Boonie

Revenge, they say, is a dish best served chilled. If that is the case, our Antipodean Cousins have a peculiar way of serving it up, especially where cricket and a picnic is concerned. Mark Hughes, known to friends and colleagues alike as Markie, had not played cricket since the under fifteens when he decided to …

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Horton Tarot Card

To Catch a Thief

Every few days it would happen. Jimmy would buy his lunch from the café, put it in the fridge in the kitchen at work and come back at lunchtime to find that one half of his sandwich was missing. Not his crisps, his drink or even the odd apple – just his sandwich. He had …

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Horton Tarot Card

In Camera

John and Suki were having a whale of a time. They were all togged up with parachutes and about to jump out at 6,000 feet for their fiftieth jump. What a blast! They had their sports camera in the plane and were leaning out the open door of the aircraft filming. Then Suki dropped it. …

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