James Field's Blog, page 30

June 13, 2020

In the last post: Alf must get rid of his fiance's fancy-man. But will his deadly plan work?

Dear friends, if you like a good chuckle, dim-witted heroes, and larger-than-life villains, then you'll love this fascinating series. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, I’m blogging nibble-sized chunks of new ‘Life in the Clouds’ stories. You can check in regularly and read them for free, or wait to buy the entire story when published.
​​Enchanter on the Roof ® James Field. Part 17
​In the early hours of the warm summer night, Bert's all consuming jealousy held him awake. He didn’t have long to wait before he heard footsteps. With shaking fingers he adjusted the noose in his wire and passed it through a wide gap in the scaffolding’s floorboards.

A waft of his fiancé's perfume reached his nose and stung his eyes, and a violent sneeze threatened to give him away. He took a deep breath, held it, and concentrated on dropping the wire loop around her lover's neck.

Olive unlocked the door to her house, and Bert positioned his noose, ready to snare Dick Charmer. But the door slammed shut behind her and Bert blinked this way and that: her fancy-man wasn't with her.

It dawned on him then that he'd follow later, giving Olive time to repair her face and slip into something sexy. This was a severe obstacle to his genius plan: it wouldn't work now. Feeling cheated, he let the sneeze explode, and for good measure, he farted too. With his scheme foiled, he leaned back on his hands and tilted his head from side to side, trying to think of a Plan B.

He wished his best mate Alf was with him because he was full of gumption and would know what to do. He would probably tell him to cut most of the way through the top rungs of the scaffolding's ladders. That way, when Dick Charmer climbed them in the morning, they would shatter under his weight and he would fall and break his neck.

But Alf wasn’t there to give advice. Alf was on security duty over on the Cloud Estate. It was a stupid plan, anyway, and he'd tell him so when he saw him next. Dick Charmer needed to meet his end before his night of passion, not after.

Then Bert rolled onto his back, let his head slump, and gazed at the mocking stars. The vastness gave him the sense that time had stopped, as if his internal main spring had snapped. His chin quivered, his chest hitched, and tears collected in the corners of his eyes. There was only one other solution to relieve his tortured heart, and that was to hang himself.

To be continued…

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Rather than miss an instalment, it’s easy to follow my blog on bloglovin ’. They’ll give you a friendly nudge as I release new parts.

Like to know more about Alf, Bert and the rest of the gang? You can read their chaotic history in What on Earth.
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Published on June 13, 2020 08:34

June 9, 2020

In the last post: One way or another, Dick Charmer must die. Bert has a plan...

Dear friends, if you like a good chuckle, dim-witted heroes, and larger-than-life villains, then you'll love this fascinating series. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, I’m blogging nibble-sized chunks of new ‘Life in the Clouds’ stories. You can check in regularly and read them for free, or wait to buy the entire story when published.


​Enchanter on the Roof ® James Field. Part 16
Bert paid no notice to the night’s balmy warmth or the full moon’s soft glow. He charged like an enraged bull from the disco and back to his terrace house. It was an evening created for lovers, and his fiancé, Olive, was in the arms of Dick Charmer. The twinkling stars teased him: a young and dashing playboy mesmerises her. What are you going to do about it?

He knew what he would do. Eyes wild, heart thundering, he made a hurried detour to a nearby barn and found a piece of soft, galvanised, hay-binding wire. Then he rushed home; ready now to set his genius plan in motion.

Scaffold surrounded the terraced group of three houses. His house was at one end, Olive’s was in the middle, and Dick Charmer hired the house next to hers at the other end. With more agility than his bulk might suggest, he climbed onto the scaffolding, laid on his belly on the broad planks above Olive's front door, and waited.

Bert ran the strategy through his mind once more; there must be no mistakes. When Olive and Dick Charmer came back from the disco, hugging and kissing, he’d drop a hangman's noose over Dick Charmer’s head and hang him by his scrawny neck.

Then, while he was dangling in the trap, and Olive was screaming, he’d climb over the roof, down the scaffolding on the other side, run through his house, and out the front door. There he’d rescue Dick Charmer, a second too late to save his life, and pretend he didn’t know who did it. The police would never guess it was he.

To be continued…PictureImage by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay​The real world:
Rather than miss an instalment, it’s easy to follow my blog on bloglovin ’. They’ll give you a friendly nudge as I release new parts.

Like to know more about Alf, Bert and the rest of the gang? You can read their chaotic history in What on Earth.
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Published on June 09, 2020 10:32

June 6, 2020

In the last post: The troublemakers were given the choice to leave or behave. Olive left, but she didn't behave...

Dear friends, if you like a good chuckle, dim-witted heroes, and larger-than-life villains, then you'll love this fascinating series. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, I’m blogging nibble-sized chunks of new ‘Life in the Clouds’ stories. You can check in regularly and read them for free, or wait to buy the entire story when published.



Enchanter on the Roof ® James Field. Part 15
​When Bert had seen Olive cavorting with Dick Charmer on the dance floor, his stomach had tightened into a knot. The flashing disco lights jangled his nerves and triggered his jealousy to boiling point. Without thinking, he gobbled a king-size bag of peanuts in only a few chews, bulging eyes glowering at his fiancé.

He stood by the bar, uncertain whether to pound Dick Charmer to a pulp or leave Ye Olde Inn to calm down and clear his thoughts. The onset of a smart murder plan was brewing at the back of his mind and fresh air would help him perfect it.

Of the two choices, finishing him off on the disco floor was most enticing. One solid thump on the top of his head would cave his skull in and pop every joint in his neck and backbone. He took a step forward, right fist clenched like a mallet, but just then Chief Inspector Dobbs took control and stopped the music.

Bert also stopped. Might be stupid to kill him right in front of the police.

But then Olive kissed Dick Charmer with unabashed passion, in view of everyone, and when Bert saw she had removed her engagement ring, he almost coughed his peanuts back up.

The ring, a mixture of white and yellow gold, and a centre diamond surrounded by a cluster of smaller diamonds had cost him a whole month's pay.

A liquid blackness oozed from his heart and smothered any doubt left in his feverish mind: Dick Charmer must die. Not here in the presence of police and witnesses. Not with a sharp and painless thump on his bonce. Oh, no, he had a plan, and Dick Charmer was about to wish he'd never been born.

To be continued…


PictureImage by dusa2019 from Pixabay

The real world:
​Rather than miss an instalment, it’s easy to follow my blog on bloglovin ’. They’ll give you a friendly nudge as I release new parts.

Like to know more about Alf, Bert and the rest of the gang? You can read their chaotic history in What on Earth.
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Published on June 06, 2020 08:33

June 2, 2020

In the last post: No cop was smart enough to bust Dick Charmer. Until Chief Inspector Dobbs got on the case...

Dear friends, if you like a good chuckle, dim-witted heroes, and larger-than-life villains, then you'll love this fascinating series. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, I’m blogging nibble-sized chunks of new ‘Life in the Clouds’ stories. You can check in regularly and read them for free, or wait to buy the entire story when published.



​Enchanter on the Roof ® James Field. Part 14
Dick Charmer tossed his hair back and patted Chief Inspector Dobbs on the shoulder. “Thanks for the compliment, Dobby." He poked a playful finger into the inspector's potbelly. "If you’re done with me I’d like to return to the dancing.”

“Get your hands off me and promise you’ll behave yourself.”

“If you say so.”

“Good.” Chief Inspector Dobbs resisted the temptation to punch him on the nose and shifted his attention to Olive. She’d finished dabbing at her face with a powder puff and was applying a thick layer of bright red lipstick. “Olive?”

She smacked her lips and gave one last check in her vanity mirror. “You want me to promise too?”

“That or leave.”

She did a little curtsy, turned to Dick Charmer, and placed her hand on his chest. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you, lover boy. Am I too hot for you?”

“No, I…”

Olive grabbed his neck and smothered him in kisses, leaving fluorescent lipstick smeared all over his face. “Sorry,” she said, shoving him away, “but you’re too juvenile for me.” She winked at Chief Inspector Dobbs and blew him a kiss. “I’m going and I shan’t trouble the little darling again.”

The inspector watched as she waggled across the room, past the bar where the men sneaked a peek at her rump, and swish out through the door. She’s a troublemaker, thought Dobbs. I don’t like her sort. Her sort are always tangled in intrigue and carnage.

To be continued…


PictureImage by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay
​The real world:
​Rather than miss an instalment, it’s easy to follow my blog on bloglovin ’. They’ll give you a friendly nudge as I release new parts.

Like to know more about Alf, Bert and the rest of the gang? You can read their chaotic history in What on Earth.
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Published on June 02, 2020 12:55

May 30, 2020

In the last post: Chief Inspector Dobbs wasn't happy. If the two hot-heads gave him lip he'd throw them in jail...

Dear friends, if you like a good chuckle, dim-witted heroes, and larger-than-life villains, then you'll love this fascinating series. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, I’m blogging nibble-sized chunks of new ‘Life in the Clouds’ stories. You can check in regularly and read them for free, or wait to buy the entire story when published.


​Enchanter on the Roof ® James Field. Part 13
Chief Inspector Dobbs had given an order and he expected obedience. If he'd been attired properly, he'd have given them five seconds. Dressed as he was, he'd give them ten.

Dick Charmer blew kisses to the young girls and swagged over the dance floor to see what was wanted of him. Olive straightened her see-through blouse and dragged her miniskirt down over her bulging hips far enough to hide her knickers. With her arms folded across her chest, she sidled to join them.

“Right, you two,” said Chief Inspector Dobbs. “I’m in the stages of retirement and don’t need this hassle. Promise to behave yourselves or leave.”

Dick Charmer gave him a dismissive nod, glanced at the dance floor, and waved to the young girls.

Much more of that arrogance, thought Dobbs, and he'll find himself standing behind bars with no one to wave at but a brutish prison guard. “I’m making investigations about you,” he said in his best authoritarian voice. “Preliminary reports suggest you might not be who you claim to be.”

“Really?” Dick Charmer turned the corners of his mouth down. “That's news to me. I’m a roofer not a goofer, good at it too.”

Not wanting to intimidate him too much just yet, Dobbs swallowed his sneaking suspicion and played along. “Good lad. I didn’t think someone as talented and popular as you could be a criminal. It’s not your fault, or a crime, if all the women assume you’re a Don Juan.”

He couldn't be sure, but Dobbs suspected his name wasn’t Dick Charmer at all. He didn't know his proper name either, only that his nickname was Four-Ps, a slippery customer who always escaped arrest at the last moment. Not this time though. Other policemen might have had trouble catching this young delinquent, but not the legendary Chief Inspector Dobbs.

"Right on, man." Dick Charmer grinned and raised his hand for a high-five.

Dobbs ignored it; he hated anything other than gentlemanly handshakes. “You still need to promise you'll behave yourself,” he said and forced a practised smile. As much as he despised the boy, he didn’t want to scare him away. He wanted him right here at The Stables where he could keep an eye on him. When he found out exactly what sort of crook he was, and had enough evidence to prove it, he'd cart him off to a prison cell where scum like him belonged.

To be continued…


PictureImage by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

​The real world:
​Rather than miss an instalment, it’s easy to follow my blog on bloglovin ’. They’ll give you a friendly nudge as I release new parts.

Like to know more about Alf, Bert and the rest of the gang? You can read their chaotic history in What on Earth.
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Published on May 30, 2020 08:29

May 26, 2020

In the last post: a riot broke out at the disco. Semi-retired Chief Inspector Dobbs pulled the plug...

Dear friends, if you like a pleasant chuckle, dim-witted heroes, and larger-than-life villains, then you'll love this fascinating series. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, I’m blogging nibble-sized chunks of new ‘Life in the Clouds’ stories. You can check in regularly and read them free, or wait to buy the entire story when published.


​Enchanter on the Roof ® James Field. Part 12

All the commotion at Ye Olde Inn disco had Chief Inspector Dobbs worked up and he could feel sweat dripping from his armpits. He yanked his bright yellow pullover over his head and exposed his Tower of London T-shirt. It was a present from his wife, and he hated it. "You're semi-retired and off duty," she had told him, "Time to get out of those stuffy cotton shirts."

It also disclosed his Police Identity card, hanging around his neck on a piece of leather string. Off duty or not, he never removed it.

After marrying in his old age, something he'd spent his life avoiding, he’d purchased a cottage at The Stables as a weekend retreat. "A place to relax and get away from the hectic bustle of your office in London’s East End," his wife had said.

It seemed, however, that every criminal in the area used The Stables as a hideout. Alf and Bert over at the bar were two typical examples. Even Styles, the Inn's proprietor and owner of The Stables was a tax-fiddling crook. There was no such luxury as ‘Off Duty’ in his line of work: no wonder he hated it. Especially when he wasn't dressed properly.

A riot had almost broken out on the dance floor, incited by a young hooligan named Dick Charmer and a frustrated old slag named Olive. Both were suspect villains.

Like the excellent cop he was, he’d pulled the disco’s plug, restored order, and commanded the disc-jockey to play soft music at a much lower volume. The DJ's choice of melody, however, was deplorable and did little to improve his mood.

“You, and you,” he said, pointing to the two troublemakers. “Get over here.” And if they gave him any lip, something he hated, he'd have them arrested and thrown in jail for the night.

To be continued…PictureImage by ElisaRiva from PixabayThe real world:

Rather than miss an instalment, it’s easy to follow my blog on bloglovin ’. They’ll give you a friendly nudge as I release new parts.

Like to know more about Alf, Bert and the rest of the gang? You can read their chaotic history in What on Earth.
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Published on May 26, 2020 10:23

May 23, 2020

In the last post: Olive threw her arms around Dick Charmer and hugged him tightly. Her fiance, Bert, vowed there would be murder...

Dear friends, if you like a pleasant chuckle, dim-witted heroes, and larger-than-life villains, then you'll love this fascinating series. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, I’m blogging nibble-sized chunks of new ‘Life in the Clouds’ stories. You can check in regularly and read them free, or wait to buy the entire story when published.​Enchanter on the Roof ® James Field. Part 11With her hands behind Dick Charmer’s head, Olive planted her lips on his. And then it seemed all the girls on the dance floor wanted a part of him. They clawed at one another, trying to get to him and smother him in hugs and kisses.

Styles worried they might maim his contractor, hobbled into the mob and swatted the girls across their heads with his walking stick. “Get off him,” he hollered. “I need him to finish repairing the roof.”

Another man drew away from the bar and strutted through the swarm. Semi-retired Chief Inspector Dobbs, short and chunky, wore a bright yellow pullover and a stern expression. When he reached the disco system, he pulled out the plug.

At the bar, Bert had snatched his packet of peanuts from Alf. Now, in the sudden deafening silence, Bert's cry rang out. “Get your hands off me nuts.”

All eyes snapped to the bar and a stupefied hush followed, as though everyone had seen lightning and were waiting for the thunder. Then, in the stillness, Olive's voice bleated. “Oh, Dick, I love you.”

“Let go of me, you old hen,” screeched Dick Charmer.
Heads swivelled back, just in time to see him push Olive so hard that she nearly fell over backwards.

“Everybody calm down,” yelled Chief Inspector Dobbs, arms raised. “I know this is a farm, but you don’t have to behave like animals."

Murmurs and giggles spread through the crowd, and with order restored, the inspector spoke into the disc jockey’s ear. The music started again: soft and snug this time. But the inspector had more to say; he aimed to give the instigators of the near-riot a strict word of warning.

To be continued…PictureImage by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay​The real world:Rather than miss an instalment, it’s easy to follow my blog on bloglovin ’. They’ll give you a friendly nudge as I release new parts.

Like to know more about Alf, Bert and the rest of the gang? You can read their chaotic history in What on Earth.
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Published on May 23, 2020 09:15

May 19, 2020

In the last post: Bert's fiance, Olive, was on the dance floor. Bert was at the bar, and he wasn't happy...

Dear friends, if you like a pleasant chuckle, dim-witted heroes, and larger-than-life villains, then you'll love this fascinating series. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, I’m blogging nibble-sized chunks of new ‘Life in the Clouds’ stories. You can check in regularly and read them as my gift to you, or wait to buy the entire story when published.​Enchanter on the Roof ® James Field. Part 10At Ye Olde Inn disco, teenage girls flocked around Dick Charmer. The young roofing contractor danced with fluid sensuality, and the girls copied his erotic moves, hustling one another for best position.

Bert propped up the bar with his elbow, finished his fourth beer and scowled at his fiancé. Olive stood on the edge of the dance floor and faced the crowd with her back to the disc-jockey. From the look of determined concentration on her face she struggled to find the music's rhythm. Her limbs did scant more than jerk and twitch as if someone had tipped a handful of wiggly maggots down her neck.

She'd dressed in black meshed stockings and perilously narrow miniskirt. Her blouse left little to the imagination, and her breasts wobbled like mounds of jelly on a plate.

Bert thought she resembled a plump fried sausage bursting out of its skin, and her brazenness made his blood boil. Her arms, he saw, had finally found the beat—her fists pounded the air in front of her, as though kneading a mass of dough.

Carrying considerably more pounds of flesh and flab than the teenage girls, Olive advanced on Dick Charmer, scattering the competition like skittles. When she reached him, she flung her arms around his shoulders and pressed her body against his.

Bert slammed his empty beer mug on the bar and stuffed a handful of peanuts in his mouth. “Tonight,” he growled to himself. “Tonight there’s going to be a murder!”

To be continued…PictureImage by Hugo Hercer from Pixabay​The real world:Rather than miss an instalment, it’s easy to follow my blog on bloglovin ’. They’ll give you a friendly nudge as I release new parts.

Like to know more about Alf, Bert and the rest of the gang? You can read their chaotic history in What on Earth.
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Published on May 19, 2020 11:04

May 16, 2020

In the last post: Dick Charmer attracted paying crowds to Ye Olde Inn. Shame this was his last evening...

Dear friends, if you like a good chuckle, dim-witted heroes, and larger-than-life villains, then you'll love this fascinating series.

​On Tuesdays and Saturdays, I’m blogging nibble-sized chunks of new ‘Life in the Clouds’ stories. You can check in regularly and read them free, or wait to buy the entire story when published.​Enchanter on the Roof ® James Field. Part 09“Look at him go,” said Styles, tapping his walking stick to the driving rhythm and urging his stiff old hips to rotate like Dick Charmer's. “Dances like he’s got a weasel up his bum.” He slapped the cane across the bar. “Drinks all round." A cheer went up from all but Bert.

What’s the matter with you? Don’t be such a party killer!”

Bert glared at him, jowls and eyes sagging. “What’s the time?”

“What a stupid question to ask at a time like this. Why ask me?”

“Because I lost me watch.”

Styles blinked at Bert and then gawked at him. He'd envied Bert's watch, a flashy Rolex that had cost a fortune. “Tough! Where’d you lose it?”

“If I knew that it wouldn’t be lost, would it.”

Styles slapped his knees and cackled. “You got me there."

Since Bert and Olive had engaged to marry, and Bert had moved to a house at The Stables, Styles had seen a lot of him at Ye Olde Inn. Bert was the biggest man he'd ever met, a blend of solid fat and steel-hard muscle. And by the looks of his face, you'd think he was a bogeyman: a fitting security guard for the neighbouring Cloud Mansion and Estate. "You on duty tonight?”

“No, it’s Alf’s shift. Ain’t my turn until tomorrow afternoon.”

“Cheer up then you grumpy bugger.” Styles chortled and shuffled his feet. He knew he could say what he liked to big man without him taking offense. It was only when you'd known Bert for a while that you saw his soft centre. Apart from the occasional brawl, he wouldn’t hurt a fly. Put in jeopardy, he'd protect children, friends and animals with his life.

“Seems like the devil’s got into the youngsters tonight.” Styles turned his attention back to the disco and waved his arms and walking stick in the air. “Never seen them having this much fun.”

​He whacked Bert’s broad back with his cane, raising a haze of glittery dust in the disco’s pulsating lights. “Go and dance with Olive. Aren’t you two engaged?” He smacked his gums and snickered. “She can’t dance to save her soul, but she makes me horny just looking at her. If she were my girl I wouldn’t be sitting here moping.”

To be continued…PictureImage by MrJayW from Pixabay​The real world:Rather than miss an instalment, it’s easy to follow my blog on bloglovin ’. They’ll give you a friendly nudge as I release new parts.

Like to know more about Alf, Bert and the rest of the gang? You can read their chaotic history in What on Earth.
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Published on May 16, 2020 11:54

May 12, 2020

In the last post: Dick Charmer kissed each fingertip. Tonight he'd show the rich adolescent girls his best moves...

Dear friends, if you like a pleasant chuckle, dim-witted heroes, and larger-than-life villains, then you'll love this fascinating series. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, I’m blogging nibble-sized chunks of new ‘Life in the Clouds’ stories. You can check in regularly and read them free, or wait to buy the entire story when published.​Enchanter on the Roof ® James Field. Part 08Ye Olde Inn was seldom so crowded, and that meant lovely money. At one end of the long, narrow room, closest to the double entrance door, a throng of men crowded around the bar. Among them was Styles, the Inn’s owner. Bent with age, he cackled with delight and swung his mug of beer, thoughtless of how much he spilt.

Tonight was Disco night, and the dance floor throbbed with youngsters. Some had found their way from surrounding towns, but most were paying guests at The Stables, which Styles also owned, which meant even more lovely money.

The girls swarmed to the Inn whenever his roofing contractor, Dick Charmer was present. The labourer had cost him a fortune, but little had he known that the guy's popularity would generate enough extra income to more than cover his extravagant expenses.

Just then, Dick Charmer burst through the door, spread his arms, and whooped a greeting. The young girls on the dance floor screamed with delight, and the disc-jockey tweaked up the volume and switched records to a potent dance song.

“A beer for the best roofer in the world,” shouted Styles with so much gusto that his false teeth rocketed across the room. “Phuck,” he said, snatched them from the grimy carpeted floor, rinsed them in his beer, and stuffed them back in his mouth.

“No thanks, Mr Stables,” said Dick Charmer, never missing a beat as he bobbed to the irresistible rhythm. "I’ll catch one later. Cheers!” And with that, he whirled onto the dance floor.

Shame, thought Styles, that this is his last evening.

To be continued…PictureImage by GraphicMama-team from Pixabay​The real world:Rather than miss an instalment, it’s easy to follow my blog on bloglovin ’. They’ll give you a friendly nudge as I release new parts.

Like to know more about Alf, Bert and the rest of the gang? You can read their chaotic history in What on Earth.
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Published on May 12, 2020 23:47