‘…A tree is only as strong as the forest that surrounds it.’ The Hidden Life of Trees, Peter Wohlleben The undergrowth crackles deliciously under Jaany’s bare feet. Each step is practised, honed by the teachings of her uncles and aunties, guided by the ancestors with whom she walks. Her steps are light yet sure. Beneath her carefree exterior is a …
Bullheaded clients full of hot air and BS were her bread and butter. It was a typical day in the life of PR Queen, Lydia Spinney. She was the maestro of crisis communication, image enhancement and turning setbacks into comebacks. If you gave Lydia a lemon she wouldn’t turn it into lemonade, she would have you convinced it was a …
‘Are you sure it’s safe?’ Ignatius Pobblewell III stands in the centre ring of the circus tent, his top hat askew, wringing his gloved hands. The grand opening of his ninja cat circus is mere hours away, and they are far from ready. He stares up at the death-defying trapeze that is one-and-a-half times higher than any other, as well …
Ignatius Pobblewell III was born to run a circus…until the day he wasn’t. The era of the great circus showmen was over. The strongman took a pay rise to become a WWE wrestler. The bearded lady discovered laser hair removal. And WorkSafe banned launching people out of cannons. The final straw was the last It movie – now everyone was …
‘Do fish have eyebrows?’ I was in the middle of a budget meeting on Zoom when my three-and-a-half-year-old son, Sam, popped up in the background and asked the question. My boss laughed politely at my son’s unexpected appearance and gave Sam a small wave. “Cute kid,’ she said with a strained smile. ‘…So back to the profit and loss sheet—’ …
‘Bloody heck.’ Tammy shakes her head. ‘Barry’s at it again.’ Cheryl follows her friend’s gaze to the gangly male specimen “dancing” in front of them. Barry is indeed at it again. He waves two spindly arms in the air, his legs sway erratically underneath him as if they have a mind of their own. His bulging eyes never leave Cheryl. …
Hank Williams warbles from the speakers as I tap my replica cowboy boots on the console. A siren pierces the air. I scramble to attention. The console is a sea of flashing red lights. A solar storm! High Noon is a long-range freighter but slow – she can’t outrun the storm or withstand the solar flares. I’m days from the …
The dragon scales prickle at my touch before relaxing in recognition. I settle into my wolf-buck saddle handcrafted by the famous artisan elves of Esour. I reach for the reins and there’s a moment of pause…a knowing…an imprinted memory that great danger awaits on the shifting horizon. This, of course, is not the first time we have been on this …
‘Stop being a pussy,’ Bruce hisses in a low whisper as Tuxedo glances furtively down the hallway into the master bedroom. Tuxedo turns back to meet Bruce’s narrowed eyes, his masked face tilts in question. ‘We’ve gotta move,’ Bruce growls, recalling how much he hates working with amateurs. ‘The sun is coming up.’ Tuxedo’s eyes follow the dawn light creeping …
Someone is here. A key falters in the lock until the arthritic mechanisms fall in place. The rusty door knob turns but the front door is unmoving. Then with a grunt and a shove, the door is forced to surrender. Dust motes swirl in the stale, gloomy light of the public bar. One by one blinking lights flicker to life. …