Robert Hugill

Yes, the blog is basically news and reviews of classical music and opera. Essential reading!!!!

Drinks party “I’m clearing Aunt’s room at the weekend.” “Her bedroom? That’s fantastic, isn’t it?” I looked at Ian and he did seem relaxed about the idea. “Is there much stuff?” “Well, I got rid of her clothes and that. There’s still all her personal things.” “Will you keep some?” “Yeah. Bits and pieces, like you said. I’m taking it slow.” He gave a small smile. “It’s no good having boxes of stuff, though.” “I found that when I moved here. There was all sort

In fact, I do have more in the pipeline! At the moment it's new stories, with no concrete plans to revisit old favourites. Yet...

Thanks. The role of Joss and PJ did rather grow somewhat as the story progressed because I too grew rather fond of them...

Two men in a taxi, giggling “Are we asking PJ and Joss to the drinks in the studio?” Charlie was restless. We were off to dinner with Joss and PJ, and our cab was late. I’d had a text updating me. “Of course. It depends on Joss’s work though, don’t forget.” “Even if it’s a yes, it might turn into a no.” “Precisely. Though PJ is his own man. He might come on his own.” “Fair enough.” “Have you sorted out the van?” “To move the stuff from the studio? Ye

Thanks to everyone for doing the actual reading!

Naked Tom and plans I wasn’t sure where the time had gone, but it was well into September already and the light was already changing. The scaffolding had gone as quickly as it had appeared. The big barn had a new roof, or rather a roof rejuvenated. I know: it wasn’t a barn at all. But I’d been used to referring to them as such ever since visiting the place after Uncle Vernon acquired it, and changing the name to ‘cow byres’ or something just didn’t have the right ring to it. The roofer

Getting close!

Perhaps dinner “Come on JB. They had us around for a meal. We can’t ignore that.” Joss frowned. “Wasn’t planned.” “All right, it was casual. Spur of the moment. But they still entertained us. We ought to do something in return. That is only polite.” “Mmm?” A distinctly grumbly rumble. PJ’s eyes twinkled. “You might be lucky: they might refuse.” “Not much chance of that.” “Then go with it. If the weather’s nice, we can be outside, so we don’t need to d

Your idea of the ages is about right, which is great!

Apologies if the mystery element seems to have gone Awol. I wanted a reasonable amount of time to pass in Thrapston before the artefact was finally discovered in its hiding place, and I found I had all sorts of other threads to tie up too.

Drawing Charlie “Can I see what you’ve done so far?” “They’re only quick sketches, nothing serious.” The project to draw Charlie had gradually gathered momentum. In stray moments when we were sitting together and the light was right, I had been practising sketching him, trying to capture a likeness. We were now going to have a full sitting, whatever ‘full’ meant. Finally, one Saturday morning we were trying things out in his studio. Which meant that we could lock the door

Have to wait and see!

Just drinks with clients My eyes probably opened to their widest. “You want to invite the scary policeman and his boyfriend for drinks. Here, at the house?” Charlie laughed. “Come on! Joss Burgess isn’t scary. At least, not in non-police mode. A bit gruff, perhaps.” “With a tendency to talk in grunts and rumbles.” “But not scary. Look, PJ is a client.” “And…?” “My first major lacquer commission. Make a bit of a fuss, have drinks and that. They seemed—I don’

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