Caramel Mia didn’t enter the kitchen immediately when she got to the end of the hallway. She hovered near the door in silence and watched her mother, who was sitting at the kitchen table drinking a cup of tea. More accurately, a cup of tea sat on the table beside her mother, but it was untouched. Her mother was using…
As recently promised, here is my latest Christmas story, in both written and audio form. A simple story of a little boy who weaves his own peculiar magic through this world and beyond. Have a safe and happy Christmas. Everyone Should Have a Fergus ‘Where’s the tree!’ Dad screamed. I was holding my throbbing hand and fighting to get my…
Well, here we are again, leaning hard into a much desired and much deserved festive period. Most Decembers since starting the blog I have tried to write and publish here a Christmas short story. There are five to date, although I am currently working on one that I hope to have up before the 25th rolls round. In the spirit…
“Are we living in end times? … Either way, it is hard not to feel that we are being shown a glimpse of a future to which we should expect to become accustomed. And when the world around you is physically changing, it is almost impossible for your perspective not to change with it… It may be tempting to put…
A seasonal short story for those in the mood. Happy Christmas The Prague Bauble They weren’t bothered either way if he made himself a cup of tea. Why would they be. It was his place now. To do with what he wanted. He heard the sounds of drills and banging and didn’t move. There was little purpose in checking what…
So, this is Christmas. Almost. It’s about thirty degrees and everyone’s looking for ice-pops, or icy-poles, as they are known here. It’s my seventh Christmas in Australia and as with the previous six I find myself missing home and everything I associate with spending the festive season in Ireland. We do our best to create the magic of Christmas in…
Like many people let down by the humans in their lives, Flippers loved animals. Gary Neville was number one, but Flippers had time for them all. Tonight he was particularly concerned with old Mrs. Baker’s Red Setter, Banjax. Hit by a car as a pup, Banjax had only three legs and age had now left his eyes covered in a…
A Christmas story in two parts for your seasonal edification. The second part to follow over the next few days. I hope you enjoy. Gary Neville Saves Christmas Fibrous McNulty and Density O’Neill stopped the van on the brow of the hill that overlooked the village, the exhaust pumping thick white fumes into the frosty air. It was late and the…
A festive story written for the season that’s in it. Happy Christmas. Iron Man Jimmy was buried beneath his duvet listening both to the sound of his breathing and his mother’s footfall on the stairs. As the bedroom door opened he shut his eyes tight and imagined himself a winter hedgehog snuggled in a bed of moss and leaves. Balled up,…
Wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star at its rising. Matthew 2:1-2 I have always loved Christmas. Loved it. Is it the mischievous child’s grace period? Amongst other things, that was what it symbolised to me growing up. It felt…
the ClearOut 