Chapter 1: Dundee, 2017

Dundee.

The city of my well-spent youth. Compact, affordable, practical; or so some of the more positive reviews seemed to indicate. Not that I really needed a review, but I hadn't been back in twenty years.

There was the Dundee I remembered: not really a tourist destination; a bit dowdy and plain; shops closed by six. Not quite sure what people did for entertainment after dark apart from pubbing. Just your average Scottish city. I didn't think it had really changed.

Welcome to my favorite chapter in the book so far. Thanks again for reading and your comments!

Chapter 22, October 29th 2026

When sixteen year-old Alex Fairfield defies his Aunt's domineering influence, he discovers the price of liberty may be more than he could possibly afford. A night out on the town results in an ordeal of cross-dressed humiliation as "Allie" learns that some boundaries should never be crossed.

To the tune of “You Oughta Be in Pictures”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You_Oughta_Be_in_Pictures
Composed by Dana Suesse and Edward Heyman
Originally recorded by Rudy Vallee.

https://youtu.be/aYkO1Jwlue4?si=JakMphzejll6iOID

Chapter 4

I parked at the museum, beside the OB van, and went in. Matthew was organising the set, which didn’t take long with our morning preparation. Steve was in his official uniform and there had been a sign on the main door announcing that the museum was closed until five for a private function.

Cover art by Erin Halfelven
©2026, SammyC

Chapter 3

When the crew had packed everything in the van, and Bernie had put his cameras in my car, Matthew opened an ice box and we all sat on the sand and talked about the day. Matthew proposed a toast.

“To Carol and the insights that she has brought to us.”

We clinked bottles.

Maltese Escape
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

They called ours a family, but it was not as you understand that word. A family is supposed to be a safe place to bring a child into the world, to nurture that child when very young, and to support him or her in at least the first part of a journey through life. That is what a family is supposed to be – not a money-grubbing enterprise where every member is expendable.

Chapter 2

I waited until we had finished dinner before I told my family the news.

“I went to Sydney this morning. I had a talk with the Head of News and came home as the new presenter for the ABC. My area is from the Gong to the border.”

Pauline squealed and stood up to give me a hug.

“That’s fantastic, Mummy. I’ll be able to see you on the box and shout at you without you yelling at me to be quiet.”

“Unless I’m in the room at the time, you minx.”

Chapter 19: Bath time!

When Candy asked if she needed anything else, she was tempted to say, "Yes, a nice tile walk-in shower with one of those pulsating shower heads," but restrained herself with a more appropriate, "No, I don’t think so, but thank you "

Acidalia XXVI
By Amanda D

Thursday October 8th:

2:45pm EDT

The White House: