I put my ear to the door and listened. Not a sound. I'd already noted that there was no light showing under the door. Was it safe? I had to take that chance. I reached forwards for the door handle and grasped it without making any noise. Slowly, with infinite caution, I turned it and eased the door open. Mercifully, it didn't creak. I knew just were to find what I was after.But would I be caught? The consequences could be serious. I peered into the dark room. As far as I could tell it was empty. It had better be. I started across the floor. It was carpeted but the boards beneath the carpet creaked slightly. I froze. I listened. Not a sound. I took another two steps. This time there were no creaks. I paused again and listened. Safe to continue. I took four light but quick steps. Only the hint of a creak. One more advance and I should have it. I estimated it would take another three steps. I took a deep breath and then took those three steps.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Shoestring's Finest Hour by Paul Ableman (BBC Books 1980)
I put my ear to the door and listened. Not a sound. I'd already noted that there was no light showing under the door. Was it safe? I had to take that chance. I reached forwards for the door handle and grasped it without making any noise. Slowly, with infinite caution, I turned it and eased the door open. Mercifully, it didn't creak. I knew just were to find what I was after.But would I be caught? The consequences could be serious. I peered into the dark room. As far as I could tell it was empty. It had better be. I started across the floor. It was carpeted but the boards beneath the carpet creaked slightly. I froze. I listened. Not a sound. I took another two steps. This time there were no creaks. I paused again and listened. Safe to continue. I took four light but quick steps. Only the hint of a creak. One more advance and I should have it. I estimated it would take another three steps. I took a deep breath and then took those three steps.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Grange Hill Rules O.K? by Robert Leeson (Fontana Lions 1980)
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Grange Hill Gone Wild by Robert Leeson (Fontana Lions 1980)
Sunday, September 02, 2012
Dupe by Liza Cody (Charles Scribner's Sons 1980)
Thursday, June 14, 2012
John Diamond by Leon Garfield (Farrar, Straus and Giroux 1980)
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Lamb by Bernard MacLaverty (Penguin Books 1980)
'Ah, Brother Sebastian. I was expecting you.'
Michael began, the words becoming slurred in his haste to get them out before his courage failed him.
'Brother Benedict, I must protest in the strongest possible terms about the . . . the thrashing you have just given Owen Kane.'
'And why is that?'
'He did not sign his name to any slogan.'
'Brother Sebastian, I'll thank you to calm yourself.'
'Did you say that the boy signed his initials to some graffiti?'
'I did.'
'O.K. is a slogan itself. They just add it to things.'
Brother Benedict took off his glasses, folded the legs flat and rubbed into the corners of his eyes with finger and thumb.
'Brother Sebastian, do you think I'm a fool? Credit me with a little lore intelligence.'
Michael did not know how to react. He was confused.
'You know and I know,' said Brother Benedict, 'that we could never find the real culprit. By now the boys know that punishment has been meted out. Someone has got it in the neck. It may deter others from doing the like again, for fear their mates get it. The O.K. is just a little irony of mine. "Benny dies O.K." Now the boys know that Benny has risen.' He bunched his big fist and swung it in a slow punch, clicking his tongue at the supposed moment of impact.
'K.O.,' he said with satisfaction.
For the next week Owen had to try and clean the slogan off with a pad of steel wool. To reach it he had to stand on a stool.