Shore

Looking down on the water. My car parked by the wall.Two weeks since I moved into this hotel down by the shore. It’s seen better days, but it’s still standing.Kind of like me.Swanky resorts are for accountants and bloodless retreats. Here, I’m meeting ghosts.The guy smoking on the step with his pal. Or the lassieContinue reading “Shore”

Big Empty

Doug tore at the guitar string. His fingers were shredded, the guitar fed back. Louder and louder till it was ringing in his ears. He looked at the notebook. Big Empty. He grabbed a glass and knocked back the drink. He was nearly sick as he picked up the bottle and threw it against theContinue reading “Big Empty”

Blue Train #23

I woke early before the dawn. First train. It’s quiet. Beat the commuters. I’m travelling. Moving. Through the Scottish countryside. Through the minutes, hours. The day. Sun comes up. Splits the clear blue winter sky. Darkness slips away. The day holds promise. Purpose. I press play and the music bursts from my headphones. Final destinationContinue reading “Blue Train #23”

Midnight Rambler

This is chapter 10 from my book “Burn” A night walk. A cigarette. A conversation with someone on the late shift. Jean’s home. She’s exhausted. She fell asleep on the couch. I lifted her through to the bed. I got in next to her but I can’t sleep. I lay in the darkness. The streetlightContinue reading “Midnight Rambler”

Standup Santa

This Story Contains Adult Humour I’ve been practicing all week: pen and paper, sitting at the little desk in the back room with a window out onto the garden and the bins. I sat listening to the rain on the glass. I’d been watching some of those YouTube videos with comedians doing their hour. I’mContinue reading “Standup Santa”