She was warm and round and not very tall with brown hair that fell in waves around her shoulders. He was tall and lean, tanned from the sun and the outdoors, older than her by quite a few years I think and his hair had mostly left him leaving a small ring of grey stubble … Continue reading 50p

Allen Key Allen Key was one of the founding members of the Old Ports - he invented the tool of the same name - essential kit for any cyclist. Brother of Allen Lane who founded Penguin Books. Ass saver Expensive piece of plastic which proves that cyclists will buy anything provided it a) has a … Continue reading Cycling Jargon

I didn't mean. You never do, do you? It's all like some damn game to you. You blunder around, knocking over things, breaking things, ruining things. You don't care, do you? I do care. I do. Really I do. It's just... What? What is it? I'm clumsy, I suppose. Clumsy? Clumsy? You're not clumsy, you're … Continue reading Clumsy

He's not coming. He is. He's not. Be patient. He'll be here. He's not coming. He lied to you. Shut up. He'll be here. You're too trusting, that's your problem. Someone tells you they're coming and bam, you believe them. Look over there - what'd I tell you? You should have more faith. He's not … Continue reading Second Coming

Monday morning, Feel Good cafe, West Wickham. Two cyclists are meeting for coffee. Their bikes are propped against the window outside. Helmets and gloves are stowed beneath their chairs. Outside it is windy with a light drizzle. Inside it is warm and the light lemon drizzle cake is soft and still warm. Coffee steams. A … Continue reading Reliability

Alright bruv? Yeah man, you? You know, okay I s'pose. What 'cha doing? This 'n that. Y' know. Seen her? Who? Don't give me that. You know who I mean. Have you seen her? Yeah. Around. Where? I said, didn't I? Around. Here, there, everywhere. Around. Who's she with? I dunno. I ain't seen her … Continue reading Bruv

There are many scenes in Kenneth Lonergan’s latest film which stay with you long after you have left the movie theatre. One in particular is played entirely without dialogue, with just Albinoni’s Adagio playing on the sound-track. This is a piece of music which has been often used in films but it sounds fresh and … Continue reading Manchester by the Sea

'I thought they were going to rape and pillage. When is it going to start?' Carnival in Flanders was made in 1935 and directed by Jacques Feyder. It is a comedy set in 1616 in a Flemish town. The town gets a message that the Duc D'Olivares and his escort of Spanish soldiers will be … Continue reading Carnival in Flanders

The Beckenham Odeon is a depressing place on a damp January Sunday afternoon. The staff look tired, the lobby is windswept and bare, the pick 'n' mix is simultaneously garish and faded, dusty and grubby with fingerprints from hungry, obese hands. The screening room is dark and gloomy thus hiding the pee stains and sticky … Continue reading Assassin’s Creed

Has there ever been a greater kiss of death for an actor's career than to appear in their first film as 'Introducing...?' Scorsese's film 'introduces' Alfred Lutter as Tommy, the 11 year old son of Ellen Burstyn's Alice, a put upon wife stuck in a loveless marriage with a husband who is killed in a … Continue reading Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore