Deep in the heart of Lower Strangling’s infamous and unique Botanic Garden, lied a small rectangular courtyard. It had a pond and a lawn, with beautiful borders filled with colour on either side, and its own sundial. It is here, where the Reverend Simon Abernathy liked to sit underneath one of the duck egg blueContinue reading “The Vicar’s Meditation”
Author Archives: Jamie Robinson
Being Sarah Peterson
The rain poured down on Lower Strangling as September turned into October. Guardian journalist Sarah Peterson could hear the raindrops patting on her 15th Century Manor as she sat in her cosy living room, writing her review of the recent Conservative Party Conference in which they turned from a British political party to a clichedContinue reading “Being Sarah Peterson”
John Granger and the 10PM Curfew
21:50:00; John Granger stared at his watch as the seconds came and went, oblivious to the fact that there were still people wanting a drink. “Oi, I’m waiting for a drink here!”, a man sitting at the bar yelled at John. “What? Ah yes, sorry”, John replied before pouring the man yet another pint. John’sContinue reading “John Granger and the 10PM Curfew”
The Virgin Mary Situation
The members of the Lower Strangling Village Council; Dave Peterson, John Granger, Robert Sherman, Paul Stiller, Hans Hoggunhoffer, Janet Foster, Bruce Richardson, and Simon Abernathy, were once again sitting in the Village Hall, albeit in a much wider circle with each councillor two meters apart. “Right, I think everyone is here. Shall we begin theContinue reading “The Virgin Mary Situation”
Dave Returns to Work
Hearing an alarm. Sleepily turning off said alarm. Having a shower. Putting on a tie. Brushing your teeth. Having breakfast whilst listening to Radio Two. Saying goodbye to the wife. Dropping the kids off at school. Driving to the train station. Buying a ticket to London. Boarding said train to London. Sitting in train forContinue reading “Dave Returns to Work”
Things Return to Normal(ish)
It was early September, and it seemed everything was finally going back to normal after the Covid-19 lockdown. Will and Eleanor were back at Warwick Prep (much to their parents relief), Dave was back in London working for Banana when he wasn’t in Pret, Simon was back preaching in St Gerald the Damned to aContinue reading “Things Return to Normal(ish)”
A Trip to the Zoo
The Petersons decided to go back to Lower Strangling from Eastbourne via Longleat Safari Park. Sure, it added another 3 hours to their journey, but they weren’t in any hurray. Will and Eleanor weren’t expected back at school until the following week, and Dave was not expected back at work until the following week either.Continue reading “A Trip to the Zoo”
Prospects on the Beach
“Blimey, this A Level fiasco isn’t particularly good is it? Judging kids on their background and not on their academic achievement”, Dave said whilst looking at his phone. The Petersons were on their first holiday of the year visiting Dave’s parents in their house near Rye in East Sussex. They themselves were staying in aContinue reading “Prospects on the Beach”
Rev. Abernathy or: How I Learned to Start Worrying and Hate the Bomb
The villagers of Lower Strangling stood around the War Memorial once again just as they did three months earlier, but this time to remember VJ Day; the day the entire Second World War actually ended. “Today we celebrate the end of the worst war in human history, but we also remember specifically the soldiers fromContinue reading “Rev. Abernathy or: How I Learned to Start Worrying and Hate the Bomb”
The Curious Tale of Patrick O’Brien
For meat magnate Patrick O’Brien, the COVID-19 lockdown was actually beneficiary, for he needed to remain hidden from the prying eyes of the media, the public, and, most importantly, Stuart Kennedy and Warwickshire Police. Patrick O’Brien ran the most successful meat business in England; Paddy O’Brien’s. He had several meat processing factories and abattoirs acrossContinue reading “The Curious Tale of Patrick O’Brien”
The Robinsonverse 