Author Archives: odeboyz

A job in a million

When I started work at Hackney Council I quickly realised I was a cog in a big wheel. Lou Olivo, the area foreman, was pig ignorant, arrogant, and annoying to anyone at a lesser grade than him. We were trash, … Continue reading

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A Natural Garden adjacent to our Tower Block

This photograph was taken just fifty yards from a twelve story block of council flats, where 146 people live. A wild life garden, abundant with wild flowers and berries in autumn with small animals and insects throughout the year. It … Continue reading

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Book Review: Joseph Knox~ Sirens

Sirens is a debut novel and is a compelling read. Detective Constable Aidan Waits works undercover in Manchester (Manchester noir?). Naturally the people he’s infiltrating are deeply suspicious, prone to breath-taking violence, and occupied with a wide repertoire of evil-doing. … Continue reading

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A child’s keen sense of humour

The boss wondered why one of employees was absent but hadn’t phoned in sick. He phoned his home and a child answered. ‘Is your daddy home?’ ‘ Small voice whispered, ‘Yes, but he’s out in the garden ‘ May I … Continue reading

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Field Marshal Douglas Haig’s Glittering Prizes

Douglas Haig was adored by the British after he’d defeated Germany in 1918. Traditionally returning military heroes were garlanded with honours and wealth and Haig was no exception. Lloyd George, the Prime Minister, had doubts about the stellar qualities of … Continue reading

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Et tu, Brute?

“As he fell, Caesar cried out in Greek to Brutus, ‘You too, child’, which was either a threat (I’ll get you, boy!) or a poignant regret for the disloyalty of a young friend (You too, my child?), or even, as … Continue reading

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It’s Hell in Heaven

Peggy

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How divorces happen

Tom finally decided to tie the knot with his long-time girlfriend. One evening after their honeymoon, he was welding some stuff in the garage, just for fun. His wife was standing there at the bench watching him. After a long … Continue reading

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Ted Carter: My first ‘lad’

On my first day at Hackney I went to the depot and met two men who I told I’d been sent my Mr Lacy. “Oh, that wax work dummy, at the Town Hall – is he still standing by his … Continue reading

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Book Review: P G Wodehouse~ Right Ho, Jeeves

Wodehouse writes silly, frothy inconsequential books of no particular merit except for one detail: they’re utterly brilliant. Readers have to park their brains in a locker and wallow in the glorious writing. Wodehouse writes books where the first and second … Continue reading

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