“They’re alive!” That’s probably the most wonderful pair of words you can use if you’re a fireman. I’ve done it a few times now, and it never fails to give me a rush of pure joy. I did save a couple of children once, and it truly was a fantastic feeling. But, just as often…
Author: Geoffrey David West
Misery Breeds Music
“I can’t do it anymore.” “What do you mean?” “What I say. I can’t write songs anymore. I just can’t do it.” “Bloody hell! You bastard! After all I’ve done for you!” Peter, my agent, charged around the luxurious music room in the cellar of my large detached house in London, swearing and cursing to…
Manhunt
When I saw the drowning policewoman, I screeched my car to a halt, leapt out, shrugged off my jacket and shoes. And ran hell-for-leather along the beach into the sea. I’m a strong swimmer, but I knew I couldn’t get to her in time, as I saw her head go under the waves once more. …
Hazel
When my wife died that was the end for me, I didn’t want to go on. I chose the hospital staircase rather than the lift, not wanting to see people. I really didn’t want to talk or have to make eye contact with anyone, because I didn’t want to lose control and break down in…
The Golden Goose
Paul McCartney died in a car crash in 1966 and ever since then, a man who was Paul’s double has been impersonating him in order to keep the Beatles’ career alive. The moon landings actually took place in the Nevada Desert. All the world’s leaders since 1880 are actually lizards, created by the earth’s powerful…
Where There’s a Will
“Why would I want a portrait of that stupid cow?” the fortyish, hard-as-nails woman in a designer dress snapped at the tiny sweet old lady, who seemed to shrink away in fear. “She might have given birth to me, but unlike her and Dad I managed to get away from this ghastly area, earn some…
Frozen
How does it feel when you know you’re going to die? I found out on a cold drizzly autumn afternoon a couple of months ago. I had ascended the front wall of the tall block of flats and I’d reached the top floor of Harblow House, with the wind in my hair and adrenaline…
Just in Time
The fog was thicker now, and I was getting more and more frozen and miserable as I trudged home along the slushy pavement. It was one of those days when before the fog came down, I could see snow hanging around in the trees and on buildings as a sparkling white beauty pageant, yet on…
The Impossible Choice
I had just saved a man’s life, and I was deeply ashamed. If only I had killed him. The refectory for the staff of a large hospital is a desperate place in the early hours of the morning. Weary and miserable doctors and nurses were relaxing alone or in twos and threes, legs outstretched, chins…
The Model
“It’s awful! Ghastly! Oh Chris, what have you done?” My teacher and I looked at the portrait I was trying to paint of our new model, Maria. Peter was right. I’d done everything I could to catch the likeness of the face of the attractive middle-aged lady perched on the chair in our studio, but…