HAL: Stories

A routine trip to a small country by aeroplane, then the engine exploded and an emergency landing changed everything.

In the late nineteenth century, it was still possible to be a pirate on the North African coast. Times were changing, but had not changed entirely yet. When the ambassador to Egypt's daughters were captured, they found they embarked on a new life they could not have dreamt existed.

A short story about an old rock musician and his past coming back to find him

Bertram T Essex is his real name, but he also goes by the name of Ivory Benson - hired gun. His latest job was successful but triggered a wide ranging search which he needs to escape. Set in the semi-mythical Wild West.

Sometimes a chance encounter can work. Just a short story that I liked when I thought of it, so I thought I'd share it. It started off from updating the film and then went its own way (if you've not seen the film - it's slow, sad, touching and describes unfulfillment very well).

Mike would have been a skinhead in earlier times. He was firm in his beliefs, views that were not regarded as acceptable in a liberal democracy. But he did his job okay. Then Judith from Jamaica joined the team. Just a very short story of how a bit of lust can help convert people.

Christmas 1902 - a happy, well adjusted family Christmas. People coming together and being content in each other's company.

Simon Peters (18) has to spend his summer with his Great Aunt Jo. Josephine Barker (70+) has engaged a companion - Susan (24) - because none of her family care about her, only her money.

Who was the greatest soldier in British history? William The Conqueror? No. Prince Rupert or Oliver Cromwell? No. Who then? Read on. In the late 12th Century, the monks claimed they had found two graves. In fact they found one, a woman's, in the man's grave was on a vellum manuscript in a lead lined casket. They needed two bodies to draw in pilgrims and money, so the story began to evolve. Here is a translation of the manuscript, long lost and only recently rediscovered.

Craig Smalls - an annoying, unimportant, useless piece of dog shit on the bottom of your shoe. But even smalltime crims deserve a defence, especially with a mother like he had.