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The prime minister in Richard Mallinson's tale is a man with a keen appetite - and not for food.
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The prime minister in Richard Mallinson's tale is a man with a keen appetite - and not for food.
Ah, but who is this who comes knocking on the door?
Richard Mallinson tells a deliciously enigmatic story.
Perhaps it doesn't always pay to be too observant, as Richard Mallinson's story indicates.
Richard Mallinson's tells a teasing tale about a young lady who finally takes the plunge.
Old Yeats's poems can really do the trick, as Richard Mallinson's story reveals.
Richard Malinson tells another heady tale.
For more of Richard's extraordinary stories please click on Fast Fiction in the menu on this page.
Old-timers can take decisive measures, as Richard Mallinson's story indicates.
Show a photograph to a chap, and you might find it conveys much more than you expected. Richard Mallinson tells a surprising tale.
...He'd told me that a girl he worked with in accounts had fallen in love with him. 'It's the way she smiles at me . . . and she always gets as close to me as possible so that there can be bodily contact.'...
Richard Mallinson tells a tale about an old man who has a problem. Or has he?
...Tim's in the shed,' said Helen. 'In fact, he's always in the bloody shed. All day and most of the night. God knows what he's doing there and I can't see in . . . he's covered the window.'...
Richard Mallinson's story reveals an unexpected reason for Tim's behaviour.
...I wasn't prepared for Gradding. I'd expected a quaint little resort.
'This is a howl,' said Len. 'The people, the noise . . .'
Richard Mallinson tells of folly on a pier.
Richard Mallinson's tale tells of a menacing conversation in a side street.
What is Capstone's reaction when he hears that Daphne has moved on again?
Richard Mallinson's story concerns a woman in transit.
Perhaps it is for the best that some folk are only encountered once, as Richard Malinson's tale reveals.
...He picked up his palette. 'I just want to be left alone to paint.'
'And why don't you try some decorating as well?' I said, nastily.,,
But can the artist be helped? Richard Mallinson tells a tale of intervention.
Richard Mallinson's short story confirms that some things are best left alone.
Does it really matter what your degree is in, when there or just the two of you on Hetton Hill?
Richard Mallinson tells of elevated encounters.
…'This is becoming a right shambles. We're supposed to tell people how to run the world and we can't even run our own bloody little meeting ...’
Richard Mallinson’s story was of course written without "help'' and "advice'' from a committee.
Thoughtless words should not be exchanged when you’re hitting the trail, as Richard Mallinson’s story reveals.
There are problems in being the daughter of a “famous’’ man, as Richard Mallinson’s story reveals.
…They went in. A man in a suit of armour was standing in front of the fire…
What exactly is going on in that wood? Richard Mallinson tells a sylvan tale.
…'I'm a post impressionist.'
'And what the hell does that mean?'
'It means I do impressions of posts.'..
Richard Mallinson tells an auditioning tale with a punchline sufficient to encourage a day-long chuckle.
…'Oh, I'd like to give it a try,' I said (having paid £200 for the privilege.)…
Ah, but is he up to the task in hand?
Richard Mallinson tells a tale to leave you guessing.
You can’t take old folk for granted, as Richard Mallinson’s story reveals.
…The sun cut swathes through the trees as I lowered her down.
'Yes, that's right,' she said, wriggling, 'tell me later.'…
And what was her reaction when she heard of Dan’s quirk. Richard Mallinson tells a woodland tale.
…She sat down at the table. Why, oh why, couldn't it have been Andy, even after all these years?…
Richard Mallinson tells a tale of strained relations.
…'Ah, you must be the one we've been expecting,' she said.
'If you mean the union mediator,' he said, 'then you're probably right.'…
But there’s more than mediation in the offing in this short story by Richard Mallinson.
For lots more of Richard’s entertaining tales – each one confined in length to 300 or so words – please click on Fast Fiction in the menu on this page.
What is the link between an old overcoat and a slammed door? Richard Mallinson tells of pathways to frustration.
..'Oh, I'm a lecturer in theology,' he almost shouted. 'I'm just about to publish a critical analysis of Browne's Religio Medici.'..
Some folk can be so irritating, as Richard Mallinson’s story reveals.
'You were right not to pander to him,’’ said Dr Disley. “Pandering does no good to man, woman, child or beast... I don't even pander to my own grandmother.’’
There is menace in every sentence of Richard Mallinson’s story.
...That Alf Edder! He seems to know everything!...
Richard Mallinson tells a fossiking tale.
So when you are in lodgings and your landlady comes knocking on your door…
Richard Mallinson tells a tale touched with violence.
A reporter had better watch his step when he investigates reports of “sexual healing’’ as Richard Mallinson’s story reveals.
But when the friends arrived they patted the contraption in the field…
Richard Mallinson tells a tale concerning rural irritation.
…‘And I won't name names just to please you. No, I will not name names. In fact, even if you offered me twice as much I simply wouldn't name names ... all those celebrities, politicians, tycoons and even journalists…
But can you trust your discretion when you are talking to the Daily Blare?
Richard Mallinson's tale exposes the exposers.
In Richard Mallinson’s tale office gossip suddenly turns into something….rather unsual.
For more of Richard’s satisfyingly concise stories please click on Fast Fiction in the menu on his page.
So who did steal the money from the village post office?
Richard Mallinson presents a rural crime mystery.
Should he have bought the cottage at Codstipple Bay?
Richard Mallinson tells of an unheeded warning.
…'What do you talk about?'
'Oh, books, architecture, politics.’
'Architecture? She never talks to me about architecture.'..
So why would she be willing to discuss architecture with the painter? Read Richard Mallinson’s conversational tale, and reach your own conclusions.
…'Now, now, you two, let's have a little peace, please . . . You must forgive them,' Kathleen said, turning to me, 'they are always a little tense and tetchy when I'm around but I can cope with it. They call me the Catholic whore behind my back but that doesn't worry me. There are worse things to be called, such as cold, selfish, greedy and cruel -'…
But what will the guest make of such a statement? Richard Mallinson tells of indiscipline in the ranks.
…She sat down opposite him and took a sip of her coffee.
Then she said, 'You were with that cheap bitch last night, weren't you?'…
Richard Mallinson’s story tells of confusing relationships (goings on) at a sales conference.
Richard Mallinson wrote this story on the day specified in the title – a day when British troops were reported to be involved in military operations, and a civilian was killed in Iraq.
Who can the patient be thinking of when he writes about a lovely, sexy young doctor?
Richard Mallinson tells of a psychiatric disappointment.
…Of course I did hurry and almost tripped over her husband. He was sprawled on the landing, drunkenly but not loudly singing….
Richard Mallinson tells of carryings-on in the Bluesea hotel.
Do philosopher’s go straight to the point when they converse?
Richard Mallinson’s tells a non-communicative tale.
…'Come in,' said Calvert. 'Did anybody see you? Did you speak to anybody?'
'Yes, there was a friendly old chap back there, down the hill.'
'Friendly? You mustn't trust anybody around here.'…
But just how unfriendly are the locals? Richard Mallinson tells a sinister tale.
Richard Mallinson tells a tale concerning the oldest game in the world.
Oh dear, oh dear! The bearded journalist from a former broadsheet clutters his questions with “sort of’’ and “you know’’.
Richard Mallinson tells a tale of a crass substitute.
…It was the first time Flexen and I had met in thirty years. Now our wives joined us and I ordered more drinks.
'You must have a lot to talk about, you two,' said my wife.
'Yes, that's true,' I lied, wondering what the hell I was going to say to him, or he to me, for the next few hours…
Richard Mallinson tells of a chap who has no desire to go voyaging into the past.
When you are out there in the countryside and there are hunters about, what might the quarry be?
Richard Mallinson tells a scary country tale.
Would you expect the wife of a brute of an ex-boxer to “stray’’? And if she did, what would be the consequences?
Richard Mallinson tells a wayward tale.
'I never expected a stockbroker belt man like you,' I go on, 'to retire to the top of a cliff.. . Are you sure this house is safe?'
Richard Mallinson tells a well-balanced tale.
It’s OK for a man and woman to get together to open and run a shop – but what if each one of them is hiding a big secret?
Richard Mallinson tells a tale of surprise disclosure.
Is Encott the the butler a philosopher, a might-have-been don…or something else?
Richard Mallinson tells a thoughtful tale.
…Granville Yardley, a businessman, said to his wife, 'In future I would like you to boil my egg Delia's way.'
His wife glared at him. 'Sod Delia's way,' she said, 'I'll do it my way.'...
Could you guess what Yardley carries in his briefcase? Richard Mallinson reveals the secret in this early-morning tale.
'Where's Ken?' Tom Halliday asked at the morning get-together. 'He's got an emergency,' Greg said.
Tom is amused, but would he still be so if he knew where Ken had gone?
Richard Mallinson tells a tale of tangled lives.
Richard Mallinson tells a Russian story in the manner of…who? Dostoevsky?
…The painting had large patches of black, white and orange. There was a skyscraper in one corner and a tunnel in the other - but no people…
The artist is Sir Oliver Thurlow, chairman of the company. But what will the members of the board make of his picture? Richard Mallinson tells an artistic tale.
…'Of course I explained that you, Carter, had no authority to tell anybody that they could have a loan, least of all a farm worker like him, Borne, on a low income and with no assets, visible or invisible.'…
A bank manager is all too human, as Richard Mallinson’s financial tale reveals.
…'My section chief is trying to have me killed,' he said nervously.
I didn't even blink. Nothing surprised me in those days…
Richard Mallinson tells a tale concerning the murky world of civil service.
…He switched off, grabbed his briefcase and managed to get out before the car sank deeper…
Is Mr Tally going to be late for his meeting? Richard Mallinson tells a squelchy tale.
…He kept his eyes down. Then he felt as if he'd bumped into somebody. 'Watch where you're going,' said the voice of his late twin brother, Tom…
Richard Mallinson tells an uneasy tale about Brindle, a man with an ambition.
…'Why not?' she says. 'All I want is a kiss.'
'Well, you'll have to wait.'
She pouts. 'I don't want to wait. I want you to kiss me now. It's no big deal…
Ah, but dare the professor kiss her in public. Richard Mallinson tells an educational tale.
'Usually I am my own most closely guarded secret,' said the
dean's young wife.
The bishop gazed at her. 'And now you are going to be mine,' he said.
Richard Mallinson tells a lust-filled tale.
For more of Richard's delicious short, short stories please click on Fast Fiction in the menu on this page.
...'I've heard a lot about you from your sister in Worthing,' said Stella, a slim dark-haired beauty. 'And we even have one of your paintings . . . look.'
'But I don't have a sister in -'...
Richard Mallinson tells an enigmatic tale about a dinner guest.
…Sometimes Lucy wished she'd never agreed to look after her brother. He was now nearly 70 and wore her down with his constant dithering….
In Richard Mallinson’s satisfying short story an aspect of Lucy’s past life is about to be laid bare to the public.
What did Gratton mean when he told his estranged wife that he missed her goodly fruit? Richard Mallinson’s story unravels a tangled skein of love.
Why should a bunch of gents in their 40s enjoy being treated as fourth formers? Richard Mallinson tells an old boys’ tale.
When you arrive back in Rickley in your chauffeur-driven Rolls, its dangerous to ask where the pub has gone, as Richard Mallinson’s tale reveals.
Who would expect a simple name such as Ben to land one in a Pinteresque situation? Richard Mallinson tells an erudite tale.
…'Just look at that,' Canvey said, 'all those tattoos on his face ... and rings.'…
But is Canvey the man to be passing judgement on others? Richard Mallinson tells a down-and-out story.
Toby is receiving cash for the information he passes on. But should he be passing it on? Richard Mallinson reveals a surprising answer to that question.
So who did kill Tim Blumire? Richard Mallinson allows scope for your own investigative thoughts in his compact murder mystery.
Who would know something about the Battle of Sluys? Surely not one of his ex-wives.
Richard Mallinson tells a bed-time story.
'And there's a former, ahem, lady friend from Exmouth,' Effie went on, 'who has some porno letters from him which -'
'Porno letters?' I gasped. 'Are you sure?'
Tackling the biography of novelist Gregory Stapple could lead to something other than words on a page, as Richard Mallinson’s story reveals.
…'Asked if he'd ever been to America, the poet Philip Larkin said no, he hadn't – and added that he hadn't been anywhere else, either.'…
Ah yes, Trillot is ready with a literary anecdote, but does he know what his wife is up to? Richard Mallinson’s story reveals a partial secret.
'When two or three are gathered together,' said Justin Case QC, 'someone else is torn apart.'
Case the senior counsel has an aphoristic way with words, but clever words can mask a stark situation, as Richard Mallinson’s story reveals.
Is it wise to invite a smug journalist to “speak as he finds’’ at your birthday party? Richard Mallinson tells a tale concerning a power of the press.
A company is in trouble. Will a masterplan save it? Richard Mallinson tells a tale of business intrigue.
Should he at his age have gone walking at night through the Dawling Estate, where muggings and knifings are commonplace?
Richard Mallinson tells a tale which begs the question.
Richard Mallinson tells a story about a story in the making.
Tod Deftly the radio continuity announcer once said 'Next we have the mews.’ Richard Mallinson’s story reveals, among other things, the nickname which was prompted by this slip of the tongue.
…As he walked down the street somebody tapped him on the shoulder. He turned round. There was nobody there…
Ah, but there’s nothing ghostly anout the letter handed to the chap in Richard Mallinson’s story.
…'Dear retired cop,' he wrote, 'I know we've had our differences but now I'm hoping that we can let bygones be bygones and -'…
Ah, but what happens when the retired cop goes to see the chap who wrote the letter? Richard Mallinson tells another tale with a surprise in its tail.
Richard Mallinson tells a medieval tale which confirms that one should preserve the well-being of the messenger.
…'And the lovely lady?' he said. 'Is she still fit an well?'
'Yes, er, thanks,' I muttered…
But is that muttered response true? Richard Mallinson tells a hazy tale.
MINISTER IN RED LIGHT SEX SHOCK. Following on the heels of such a headline a Prime Minister sometimes has to make a surprising decision, as Richard Mallinson reveals.