Travels Through An Imaginary Landscape

EPISODE THREE: FORTESCUE’S FICTIONAL DETECTIVE AGENCY

PART ONE

          I stepped down from the bus into the narrow street and was instantly struck by the sweltering heat that swept between the buildings like a runaway train. It was a heavy, oppressive humidity that made all activity feel as though it were being conducted through a layer of molten treacle. The conditions undoubtedly discouraged much sight-seeing. Even my companion, Michael, normally so curious and eager to explore, was disinclined to venture too far. Under the circumstances he proved unusually amenable to my suggestion that we retire to the nearest hostelry as the best way to get our bearings. Continue reading →

EPISODE THREE: FORTESCUE’S FICTIONAL DETECTIVE AGENCY

PART TWO

          A chat with the wizened walnut man in charge of the tobacco shop proved most enlightening with regards to the habits of his tenants upstairs. Rodrigo, he informed us, generally left the office by 5pm at the latest and would not return until late the following morning. Felicity Fortescue, however, would prove a tougher proposition to contend with. It seemed she rarely left the office until well after dark and indeed the tobacco shop man suspected she often stayed up there all night. “I think the lonely English senora buries herself in her work,” our new friend mournfully informed us. Continue reading →

EPISODE THREE: FORTESCUE’S FICTIONAL DETECTIVE AGENCY

PART THREE

          We were just joining in the smattering of applause that greeted the climax of the latest number from the band when Mario reappeared and deftly steered a tall dark man into the vacant seat at our table. Mario leaned forward and murmured, “Senor Holmes” in a low tone by way of explanation. Then, straightening up he cheerily added, “More drinks now?” Continue reading →

EPISODE THREE: FORTESCUE’S FICTIONAL DETECTIVE AGENCY

PART FOUR

          The first thing that was abundantly clear from his expression was that Rico was not accustomed to having strangers boldly deposit themselves at his table. Fortunately, the move equally seemed to flummox his minder who glanced open-mouthed at Rico in the hope of instruction. None being immediately forthcoming I took the opportunity of forestalling any objections by immediately launching into an introduction. Continue reading →

Saveloy Ahoy!

(An animated interlude from Episode Two, Part Five)

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Flaming Nunsense!

(An Animated Interlude from Episode Two, Part Three)

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EPISODE TWO: THE SOUND OF SCREAMING

PART ONE

          The trees all around were still and the only sounds were two sets of crunching footsteps ploughing laboriously along the gravel path. Having been plunged rather unexpectedly into the landscape of the imagination I had not really had much chance to consider what might be my initial emotions on encountering a whole new world. However I am quite sure that, even had I enjoyed the leisure to think it over, boredom would not have been high on my list. But this was turning out to be worse than Miss Sykes’ tour of Clifton College. Continue reading →

EPISODE TWO: THE SOUND OF SCREAMING

PART TWO

          We came upon the station soon enough; a small, unimpressive affair with just one short platform. There was a ticket office, a compact waiting room and a large clock hanging over the platform but no sign of any staff at all; no booking clerks, no porters, no guards with shiny whistles. What was more, there were no signs or timetables displayed anywhere. In fact, but for the railway tracks themselves which glistened brightly in the sunshine, there was nothing to suggest that a train had ever or would ever pass through. Continue reading →

EPISODE TWO: THE SOUND OF SCREAMING

PART THREE

          It was sometime around the second helping of Apple Strudel that I finally stopped to ponder the contradictory nature of the welcome at the Abbey. At the Reverend Mother’s insistence I had already managed to wolf down two large bowls full of a delicious broth (my lanky companion had quite heroically downed three). If hospitality were to be measured solely on the quality and quantity of the food then the Abbey had to rank as one of the best places in the world to stumble upon when lost. Yet, however tasty and plentiful the dishes on offer, there was something about the general atmosphere and the manner of the Reverend Mother in particular that made me just a touch uneasy. Continue reading →

EPISODE TWO: THE SOUND OF SCREAMING

PART FOUR

          I sprinted until I thought my lungs would burst, slipping and sliding over the uneven ground, barely able to sense the outline of the passage ahead in the darkness. When the wails of the nuns behind had faded to a low murmur and I was quite sure I could run no further without having some sort of coronary attack, I pulled on Michael’s hand to slow him to a walk. It was as I was panting hard, labouring to get my breath back, that I realised that the air here seemed to be staler than ever. In the blind panic of the nun’s grotto I hadn’t even noticed that there had been more than one passageway out of the cavern. Continue reading →