Horton Tarot Card

The Pear Tree

Maggio went out walking with her blind husband, Gennaio, in the garden with the pear tree where she had arranged to meet her lover, Damiano. As they approached the pear tree, she expressed a desire to eat a piece of fruit. “What I wouldn’t give for a nice pear now!” “Tesoro, do let me climb …

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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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Punch Cartoon No. 2

The Sandpaper Affair

As a rule, I rather enjoy watching the cricket. I have always thought it a nice way to spend a summer afternoon. You can chat with friends, spice up a cucumber sandwich with a drink, and if you so choose, get merry. The ground was situated behind the Forelock Arms where the two marquee tents …

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Horton Tarot Card

The Book and the Boat

Alec and Janice lived on the sea shore of the western coast of Scotland. They had an old stone house with a slate roof set back up the hill. It was cosy with a roaring fire in winter. They had a dog called Harris and a beautiful wooden sailing yacht called Lady Veronica. While Janice …

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Horton Tarot Card

The Pear Tree

Maggio went out walking with her blind husband, Gennaio, in the garden with the pear tree where she had arranged to meet her lover, Damiano. As they approached the pear tree, she expressed a desire to eat a piece of fruit. “What I wouldn’t give for a nice pear now!” “Tesoro, do let me climb …

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The Joker

Badge of Honour

I can never really relax beforehand; I am always looking round for something to do, even if I will invariably end up winging it; when my tax card came in the post that morning, I thought I had found the perfect conversation piece. “It’s been the running joke of my life here,” I said at …

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The Half Days

A Tale of Envy

I was in the middle of a translation; and, as it was a particularly tricky one, my brain was starting to fog with quibbles, so I stepped out onto the balcony and stretched. From my balcony, I should point out, if one looked left, one could make out the blue of the sea. It was …

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