TonySpencer: Stories

When a humble squire’s knight is burned to death by a dragon’s attack on the Queen, an equally humble cobbler helps slay the dragon to save the Queen. Unknowingly, this fulfilled a little-known royal prophecy, that an un-knight would save a non-Princess from a dragon, that they’d marry, live happily ever after, and start a Golden Age. The widowered cobbler had 2 daughters, who became non Royal Princesses when he married. Now an alliance was needed and a Princess had to marry a Prince.

Part of Historical Romances
One of Hollywood's hearthrobs, Brad Gold, born in England, flew to help his mother country in their hour of need. But in January 1941 during the London Blitz, he goes AWOL. His wife, the gorgeous Silver Screen star Marcia la Mare is looking for him and hires crippled ex-Yard detective Edgar Onslow. Soon they find themselves deep in crime, deception, spies and a uncover a plot to undermine British resolve, the only country standing up to Nazi leader Hitler's plan of world domination.

Charlie walks under a piano being swung into a 3rd floor window on his way to pick up his pension, paper and a bottle of milk, and wakes up standing on a cloud in front of the Pearly Gates. But accessing the Afterlife is not as as easy as it was, first you need a Password.... [an irreverent look at the serious business of death, afterlife and the dangers of messing about with "if it works...."

After the office Christmas party, career-girl Patience wakes alone in her flat, her bed soiled and defiled, her "Secret Santa" lover for the one night stand gone, leaving only regrets for her easy submission and embarrassment in anticipation of the gossip implications to come. She sits and writes out her New Years Resolutions before going into work to face the music.

Pearl is a wildlife photographer and Dean her assistant. Although Dean has always lusted after Pearl, they come from opposite sides of the tracks and she treats him as a servant, revels in her many liaisons, and is recently engaged to a wealthy publisher. It dawns on Dean that in his view she is losing her lustre and an opportunity presents itself.

It was the twins' 10th birthday but, due to Covid, their single-parent father could not hold a birthday party for them. But a parcel and letter from their late mother's solicitor gives them an invitation to visit London, where it seems they are expected. This story is by way of introduction to a forthcoming series of short children's stories based on the Pearly Kings and Queens of Cockney London.

Ivan Merciant was a political convict for 20 terran-years, freed by smugglers to locate the lost Treasury of the wealthy Merciants, once Dukes of Como Prime in the days of the old Galactic Empire. Led by two murderous smugglers, financed by Lillian, a Republican courtesan, related to the dead Emperor, served by the everloving domestic help Selene, they embark to navigate a treacherous triple-sun system to find hidden treasure, knowing survival depends on the greed of their present crew mates.

Pete is shunned by many in his small town for something unthinkable they believe he did in the past. Now injured and homeless, he is rescued by the emergency doctor, a newcomer to the town and Pete has the chance to reboot his life.

Bishop Robert and his Curate wife Pauline are estranged, work in different cities. They've been told by their beautiful daughter-in-law Adrienne that their only son has died suddenly age 45, killed by cancer that he hid from his parents. Robert wants to officiate at the funeral but Adrienne has that in hand. Both are invited to the Pre Wake. Unlike a Wake, this evening dress party, with music and dancing followed by a formal dinner, is held before the funeral rather than after.

It's rehearsal night in the village amateur theatre group and Audrey approaches leading man Henry with a proposal which will make their on-stage pretend romance appear more "real".