R.B.RUSSELL has only recently started writing fiction seriously, having previously written lyrics, composed music, and drawn in pen and ink for his own amusement. He runs Tartarus Press with Rosalie Parker from their home in the Yorkshire Dales.

A WOMAN OF THE PARTY: Birgit made the mistake of sitting down and closing her eyes for a

few moments. She knew she shouldn't have done it because when she opened them again and tried to stand the room reeled around her.