there-could-be-a-sting-in-the-tale

  PAYNE and SUFFERING Now My name is Michael Payne. It’s taken a while, but I’ve finally worked out I’m lying in a hospital bed. This is a first. Not experienced anything remotely similar before. Already decided I don’t want to do so again. There’s a drip; there are machines all around me. I can see wires and monitors. The wires are attached to pads on my otherwise bare chest. The monitors are showing numbers and graphs. They keep changing and I don’t know why. I can hear regular bleeping noises. They are driving me mad!   Then - Early Years ‘My name is Michael Payne.’ I’m in the playground. I’m eleven and it’s my first day at the big school. A girl called Penny has asked me who I am. ‘Like the film star?’ she enquires. ‘Nearly.’ ‘Can’t stand him.’ Penny slopes off with a look combining satisfaction and annoyance on her face. Now How long have I been in this room? The last thing I remember is feeling extremely unwell in my flat. My cooking isn’t great, bu...

  MILDLY BITTER Author's note - I suspect being British or appreciating how Brits behave when the weather suddenly improves as summer pays its annual fleeting visit would help your understanding here. Knowing something about British roads and pubs would also be an asset. ‘Won’t be long.’ He squeezes her arm before leaving. Which way will be quickest? He isn’t familiar with the area so he’s not sure what to do. So he watches for a moment. They seem to know where they’re going. I’ll follow them. Decisive. Confident. Assured. He’ll be there and back in no time. Good plan! Two minutes pass. Progress has been minimal. Is following others such a great idea? From where he is now, maybe the blind are leading the blind. He isn’t moving, this much is painfully obvious. The others are just in front of him, similarly immobile. People are behind him, blocking his exit. He’s stuck. Nothing he can do. He looks up at the sky for wont of something to occupy his precious time. Solid blue. It...