Christmas is coming

and with Christmas comes unexpected guests - such as Mister Tall and Mister Small as they share some Christmas Lessons.

Or three ladies in grey as they help some women get Dolled Up.

It may be December, but for the Pussycat Gang and Madame X it is July 2016 - and time for Two Weddings and a Robbery.

Two women come to Common Destinations

And finally, some short Silent Night tales.

I did promise Objects of Beauty - they, and the Cat, will God Willing be here next week, but until then, I remain,

KP

A month is too long

and I am truly sorry, but real life in November was a bitch.  No excuses - I am just so glad it is the holiday season.

I also need to make an announcement - due to a change in policy by e-book carriers, the only place you can get new collections by me and others under the KP Presents banner will be my Lulu store here.  Mind you, I also get more if you buy them here...

Anyway - onwards, and we complete Fresh Starts with the CS awards show, and some life changing decisions...

Ever wonder how Jay Edwards and Mrs McPhee really got started?  If you did, read some Taped Tales.

One man discusses what is In My Room

We meet the Go Go Gone Intruder

And finally, Marcos offers part 2 of The Wrong Choices.

I am hoping to be back next weekend, God willing, with the Gentlemen Robbers, the China Dolls, and Objects of Beauty, but until then, I remain,

KP

Down Under

First, a word from our sponsors...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfR9iY5y94s

And why?  Because preparations are underway for the Complete Style Awards in the latest part of Fresh Starts.

We also have a report of weekend events from A Wet Saturday...

The Cat Reviews some old photos...

Two women have a Revelation...

And finally, a late Halloween tale with the Changelings.

Oh - and allow me to share some photos that have inspired me at my Pinterest account  - https://za.pinterest.com/kevpickering/

I'll be back, as always God willing, in a week or two, but until then, I remain,

KP

Of Dogs and Monsters

Well now - something I need to say first.  As some of you will have gathered from past ramblings, I tend to suffer from stress issues, and my writing is part of my way of dealing with those issues.  Recently, however, things have been getting on top of me, to the extent even my writing has been difficult and not the release it needs to be - and if you are looking for a reason for the gaps between updates, that's probably the number one reason.

I am trying to deal with that, but in the meantime please be patient as I try to get back on track.  Allow me this week to try and make up for it...

Starting with part 1 of Fresh Starts, as the ladies continue to celebrate Abby's birthday, but there are major revelations concerning Agnes, Susan and many others - not the least of which is the true identity of a major character in the world of Madame X...

And talking of her, a tale of Family Modesty...

And in the area of known characters, enjoy One Day at College...

I wish to pay tribute to the man known as Wwwarmachine, a star of the old Dreambook days, by taking a story he started (and someone else finished badly) and doing my version of The Photographer.

There's also a dose of The White Stuff...

And finally, welcome Marcos with the first part of The Wrong Choices - a very timely tale.

I will be back, God (and the Black Dog) Willing, next weekend, but for now I remain,

KP

The thing about parties

is secrets will come out, and relationships change - as they do in the final part of Abigail's Party.

We also have a tale of home invasion for a Church Family and friend...

One woman has Memories of a Wet Autumn Day...

And a classic tale from the old Dreambooks of Truth or Dare.

More, as always God Willing, next week, but for now, I remain,

KP

Okay, so I said a weekly update

and it's been three weeks.  Mea Culpa - let me make it up to you, starting with some more short After School Special tales.

And a few new Mother and Daughter moments, where an announcement awaits.

The WABAC Machine has been back to School - Crime School.

And it is the Eighteenth birthday of Abigail de Ros in part 2 of Abigail's Party.

Finally, Bandit offers Claire's Submission - and awaits your comments.

We will be back, as always God Willing, next week, but for now I remain,

KP

An Apology and An Announcement

Okay, I'm a little bit late with this one - but I do always say God willing...

In this case, however, it was a combination of work commitments and fighting off the black dog that led to the delay, and I can only apologise for that.  Especially to anyone who follows me on the TUG forum  I've left stories hanging there that I need to catch up on.

Anyway - updates.  and we start the story of Abigail's Party.  That's a name that is going to resonate with a few people - and trust me, it is appropriate, as you will see.

We also have another look into the writing process with The Fat Man Cometh...

The story of Kit's Big Night...

And finally, Maids of Dishonour will serve someone...

Now - as I may or may not have set, I have a form of dyslexia that means if I don't set firm targets and try to meet them, problems happen.  This month has been a reminder to me of that in many ways, so I need to reset targets - including this,

Starting now, we're going back to weekly updates on a Friday.  I don't know how many stories each week, but we have plans,

So, God willing, I'll be back next Friday.  Until then, I remain,

KP

We're all going on a summer holiday...

Well, actually I'm on mine, but anyway...

We start with a request from my co-writer on the Pussycat Gang stories, Jennifer Jay, to tell the tale of Catriona's Dilemma.

And talking dilemma's, Agnes and Sue face their own in the final part of To Be in England.

We're back in the Seventies with a Cozy little tale...

And from the sixties to the eighties, the first of a collection of After School stories.

Finally for this week, the first in a projected series of tales centred around Harper's Store.

I will be back, as always God Willing, on the 18th of August, but until then I remain,

KP

My thanks to you all

For the birthday wishes last week.  They were most appreciated.

So we kick off this week with Ama's revelation in To Be in England and the aftermath...

Madame X extends an Invitation...

And we have a peek at the writing process in The Maltese Budgerigar...

Some Mother and Daughter Moments...

The Gentlemen Robbers treat some women With Respect...

And finally, Objects of Beauty fulfil a Mature Order.

I'll be back, as always God Willing, on the 4th of August, but for now I remain,

KP

Half the year gone already?

Let's indulge in some stories - starting with an untold story from the School Dayze of Madame X.  Pay attention - there will be a quiz...

More up to date, To Be in England continues with Penny's past revealed - and Ama gets a major surprise.

We offer a tale of Adam and Eve as they help with some Family Time.

And talking of families, Jay Edwards and Mrs McPhee have a Topsy Turvy Day.

Finally, we ask you to consider uses for Diplomatic Baggage.

We'll be back, as always God Willing, on the 21st, but until then I remain,

KP

A time for surprises

as four women discover when their evening is interrupted with a Midwinter Song...

The St Angela's girls continue to enjoy their trip, and a verdict is reached, in To Be in England...

In Their Own Words presents an After School Special...

We follow A Series of Unfortunate Encounters...

And finally, The Cat's Exam

We will be back, as always God Willing, on July the 7th, but until then I remain,

KP

Quite a week

So allow me to distract you from the political mess, first with the start of To Be in England, as the Angels hit North East London...

Meanwhile, a lady named Agnes McAdam experiences Amateur Hour...

And the China Doll Gang in their early days do something At First Sight...

While a young lady cannot even give A Word of Warning...

And Tull is back with Lucy's Lost Afternoon.

I will be back, as always God willing, on the 23rd, but until then I remain,

KP

Stand Proud

There are times in this world, in this life, when things happen that just make you speechless, that make you stop and think and wonder if there is anything you do that can make a difference to the world that we live in.  There have been a few in my own lifetime – hearing of the death of John Lennon, Challenger, the Dunblane massacre, and in line with most civilised people 9/11.

This last fortnight in the UK, we’ve had two of those incidents.  A fanaticism that says the way to bring people to their world view is to deliberately set out to perpetrate a slaughter of the innocents both illustrates the evil at the heart of that fanaticism, and also illustrates the essential futility of that argument.  They were young people – children – at a concert celebrating life, and instead…

On the day, I made a short tweet in support of the people who had gone to help, and in sympathy for those who had lost someone, but somehow that was inadequate.  I freely admit, I found it hard to concentrate on anything for the days following that – I have grown children, but one lived in Manchester for a time, and the other is about to leave for University, and you picture what you would do if it was them.

Then this last week I’ve been ill, and had a bit of time to think, try to write – and I could not.  I could not get out the stories I wanted to tell, and I wasn’t sure why.  And then there were the events in London last night, and my heart was cold again.

And that was the problem – my heart was cold.  I had lost sight of an essential fact, but others have reminded me of it today.  If we are going to show them we are wrong, being afraid and sitting on our derrieres is not the answer.  We have to stand up, and we have to be proud to stand up and show them they are wrong, that they cannot make us afraid.

That whatever faults I have, at my heart, at my core, there is more than anything love for my fellow man, and that love cannot be allowed to dim.  So do not allow it to dim, do not let your light hide under a bushel.

Which brings me to this – KP, Kev Pickering is a nom de plume, but if I am going to stand up, I need to stand up as Kev Pickering and as myself.  But for various reasons, I need to continue to write under this name.  If you want to know who I am in real life (whatever that means) then click here.  If you don’t. don’t.  But we need to stand up and be counted.

New stories will be here, God Willing, next Friday.  Until then, I remain here, now and always, 

KP

Tonight, a mature view

First up, to re-iterate - much as I wished to avoid it, I have to go to a fortnightly update schedule for the foreseeable future.

But I hope it is worth it.  First up, we wrap up The Best Laid Plans as Eleanor makes one or two shocking discoveries.

Then we see what happens when Christyne is one of the Strangers in the Night...

And Jenny's Special Night answers a long awaited question...

Some old school friends are invited to a very different Reunion...

And finally, the next part of Castle Bond.

I will be back, God Willing, on the 3rd of June.  Oh - and if you are on VK, you may be untested in this

Until then, I remain,

KP

A short announcement

I had hoped to avoid this, but work and real life pressures have proven impossible to ignore, so we are going to move to a fortnightly update schedule, starting (as always, God Willing) this week.

Okay Then...

Apologies for last week - let's start to make up for it with the return of Dial-A-Fantasy with a Symphony in Black...

And we continue with The Best Laid Plans, as Holly is made an offer she cannot refuse...

Amanda Lu has more from Castle Bond...

We have some Mother and Daughter Moments...

And the China Dolls are back with The Three Temptations of Tabitha Todd.

More, as always God willing, next week, but for now I remain,

KP

I have been reminiscing

On my youth - which led to the story I call Cars.  Bonus points if you get the hidden tribute...

Meanwhile, in the world of the Carter family, it's time to give evidence in The Best Laid Plans...

And whatever is going on in our world touches a familiar gang of women in China Crisis...

Amanda Lu continues with Castle Bond..

And Jay Edwards visit a family for more than one reason in Jay on the Farm...

Next week, as always God Willing  - the return of Dial-A-Fantasy.  Until then, I remain,

KP

Well now...

Apologies for the unannounced absence - I don't wish to repeat myself for the reasons why what happened happened, but if you wish to know, you can read it here.

So - onwards with the next part of The Best Laid Plans, as weddings take centre stage...

Then - well, I was searching my files when I found a half finished Not A Robbery story.  While I finish it, enjoy the first half of the Anne Summers Party.

We have the next part of Castle Bond...

A little gift for my friend with Leila's Party...

And finally, a story of George's Big Score...

We are, as always God Willing, back on a weekly update schedule now, but for now, I remain,

KP

Words and Pictures

My apologies for the lack of posts last week, things (and crap) happens.

So, before I say anything this week...  I know a number of people are waiting on stories, and have been waiting for some time.  I also know some stories have not been as good as they could have been.  For that, I take full responsibility - I have a job that causes me stress, and that stress has been overwhelming recently.  No excuses - I try to give the best I can, and so do all the contributors.  And we continue to do so - but I at least apologise if what I produce is not up to scratch.

Okay, self-flagellation over - please, enjoy the latest An Education tale, entitled Teaching Debbie.

Or the time the Gentlemen Robbers had to say We Interrupt Your Party...

Amanda Lu has more from Castle Bond...

We have the next part of The Best Laid Plans...

And finally, the tale of Denise and I...

More, God (and my work situation) willing next week, but for now I remain,

KP

Sorry about Friday

But in the meantime, how about a picture poll - which shall we tell the story of first?

Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

Pic 4

Pic 5

Pic 6

Pic 7

Pic 8

Pic 9

Pic 10

Sorry for the delay

Other things happened - but I think you will agree it is worth it.

For example, how about a brand new Chase File - well, part one of it, entitled Teaching The Teacher?  As always, with the kind permission of Chase, there are photos as well...

Or a new Amanda Lu story set in Castle Bond?

Meanwhile, there is a Blast from the Past...

And then Lily is Coming Home.

And it's the end of the road for one person in The Best Laid Plans.

I've also done a ling overdue overhaul of the Links page - removing dead ones, and updating others - including finally putting in a link to my friends at Booted Babes.  Tell them KP sent you.

Next week, as always God willing, The Gentlemen Robbers and a day at the races.

Until then, I remain,

KP

Skip week

Sorry folks - I've had too much to do in other things this week, so we'll be back with new stuff on the 10th of March.

Come with me on a journey

to the 1950s and small town America, as one man is invited to Tell Me A Story.

Two other people on a journey are the Games Players, as they spend a memorable Weekend Away.

In the last of her tales, Rebecca relates how she played a Wide Game.

And one woman has her own voyage of discovery, in The Awakening of Leila

And finally for new stories, we conclude Caught on Film with two very special - and unexpected - encounters.

And now, a word from our sponsor...

Now available at Lulu and all good eBook sellers - The Perils of WPC Drummond by Tull.

I will be back, as always God Willing, next week with new stories, as we start the journey to the 10th Anniversary of KP Presents in some form. Until then, I remain,

KP

Happy Families

So Juliette is a grandmother again - and the happy event is Caught on Film.

We have a special Valentines sequel to Repeat Appointments.

And In Their Own Words discusses the benefits of togetherness.

Rebecca meets An Unexpected Hitch

And finally, some Mother and Daughter moments

More, as always God Willing, next week, but for now I remain,

KP

There's a film out this week

based on a surprisingly popular book.  If you want to go and see it, fine - or you can read this week's update.

For example, in Caught on Film Juliette is summoned to Hong Kong - as Annie faces a very different day,..

We also, sadly, have the final Den Mother story - a short one, but that's all I have folks.  I know people have enjoyed them however.

We also have the next story of Rebecca, as she gets involved in a breach of House Rules.

Next up - I have no idea what I had before writing Go Go Gone.

And finally, a small tale around a Tea Party.

More, as always God Willing, next week - including a Valentine's story.  But for now, I remain,

KP

Sorry, Sorry...

I was planning to update on Sunday or Monday, but I was on a trip, and where I stayed did not have the right level of internet connection...

Anyway - onwards and upwards, and first a short tale of how something may at times need a Collect From Home.

Then we offer a tale of The Lady of Larceny.

It's Prom Night in Holderness...

While in London, Francesca makes more arrangements, in New York it's the Premiere of The Pussycat Gang - and we have it all Caught on Film.

Finally, Rebecca shares her memories of her bout of Chicken Pox.

More, as always God Willing, next week, but for now I remain,

KP

Roll up, Roll up

And see five tales of daring do and devious intentions!

Marvel at the ingenuity of the man known as Jay Edwards as we experience a visit to Jay's Dolls House!

Admire the tenacity of one man when some callers bring Good News!

Chill with those people who are visited after Christmas and recall their own Silent Nights!

Admire the ingenuity of Rebecca and her family as they deal with a Canadian Invasion!

And finally, watch a long laid plan come to fruition in the final part of Trials and Tribulations!

There are updates, always God Willing, every week at the home of these stories, and I remain your host,

KP

Fair Warning

The latest installment of Trials and Tribulations is going to shock you...

Also this week...

Welcome back after an extended absence Tull with part two of The Embezzled Endowment.

Also welcome back the Gentlemen Robbers as they preach the virtues of Helping One Another.

Rebecca and her sister learn the dangers of Calling Grandma's Bluff.

And finally, a tale of Adam and Eve as they spend the Weekend at Leila's.

Next week, as always God Willing - Jay Edwards.  Until then, I remain,

KP

Let Me Entertain You

as we start 2017 with an untold story - you may wish to read Taking Out The Trash, and then see what the unexpected aftermath meant in Repayment in Full.

Meanwhile, in Kentucky, there are more Trials and Tribulations - and be warned, something happens that may shock you.

Elsewhere, we look into a way to try to preserve Family Honour.

We also look at what it can be like The First Time.

And finally, a tale from Rebecca of Winter Sports.

Soon, we will start the votes for your favourite stories of 2016 - so if you wish to nominate any, post a comment.

For now, however, we will be back (as always God Willing) next week, so I remain,

KP