Warning: this story may contain scenes about stolen furniture, a practical demonstration at the Stirrup Charge at Waterloo, students’ alcohol-ridden urine, a widowed urban guerrilla, a young man wearing exciting knitwear, and four naked security guards.
Jodi Taylor says . . .
‘I think I’d written more than four or five books before I wrote this prequel. I don’t know why I was suddenly overwhelmed by a need to go back to the beginning but I did. Normally my overwhelming needs involve chocolate. I always say to people – don’t read this one first. Get a couple of books under your belt first otherwise some of it might not make sense. Which assumes the rest of it does . . .’
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WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?
To do what I do – go where I go – see what I see – it’s a wonderful, unique, never-to-be-taken-for-granted privilege.
With great privilege comes great responsibility, something Max knows only too well, and as newly appointed Chief Training Officer at the St Mary’s Institute of Historical Research, it’s up to her to drum this guiding principle into her five new recruits.
Expect a training programme that includes Joan of Arc, an illegal mammoth, a duplicitous Father of History, a bombed rat, Stone Age hunters and Dick the Turd.
Jodi Taylor says . . .
‘My personal favourite. I’ve been a training officer. I’ve been in that particular hell. I’ve questioned my life choices, my sanity and the intelligence of trainees. On the other hand, there was the episode of the bombed rat.’
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SHIPS AND STINGS AND WEDDING RINGS – a short story
It’s Christmas at St Mary’s and time for Max’s obligatory illegal jump. On this occasion, however, they’re right up against it. And as if that’s not enough, someone (Max) has inadvertently poisoned Mr Markham.
Jodi Taylor says . . .
‘This is what happened when I was bored and there wasn’t anything on TV and I was reduced to reading the small print on a can of WD40.’
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LIES, DAMNED LIES, AND HISTORY
I’ve done some stupid things in my time. I’ve been reckless. I’ve broken a few rules. But never before have I ruined so many lives or left such a trail of destruction behind me.
Max has never been one for rules. They tend to happen to other people. But this time she’s gone too far. And everyone at St Mary’s is paying the price.
Jodi Taylor says . . .
‘I wrote this one to avenge myself on my brother who abandoned me on top of Doward Hill because there was a cow on the horizon. It was the size of a dachshund but apparently had a nasty look in its eye. He said. I didn’t get time to argue because he was off. Normally I’d let him go but he had the car keys.’
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THE GREAT ST MARY’S DAY OUT – a short story
Astonishingly, Dr Bairstow has declared a holiday. Even more astonishingly – he’s paying for it.
Needless to say, there are strings attached. They have to record the 1601 performance of Hamlet, with Shakespeare himself in the role of the Ghost.
It doesn’t go well, of course. With Dr Bairstow and Mrs Mack turning a simple visit to a street market into a public brawl, Professor Rapson inadvertently stowing away on a vessel bound for the New World, and Shakespeare himself going up in flames, it would seem that Max, of all people, is the only one actually completing the assignment.
Jodi Taylor says . . .
‘I challenged myself to get the words “Dr Bairstow” and “selfie” in the same sentence. Challenge accepted!’
Available to download
MY NAME IS MARKHAM – a short story
Like a smaller and much scruffier Greta Garbo – finally – Markham speaks!
Jodi Taylor says . . .
‘This is the one told by Markham himself. I wanted to give a tiny but tantalising glimpse of his background.’
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AND THE REST IS HISTORY
Because, my dear Max, you dance on the edge of darkness . . . and I don’t think it would take very much for you to dance my way.
When an old enemy appears out of nowhere with an astonishing proposition for Max – a proposition that could change everything – Max is tempted. Very tempted.
With an end to an old conflict finally in sight, it looks as if St Mary’s problems are over with. Can they all now live happily ever after?
Jodi Taylor says . . .
‘Ah! The dramatic one. Probably best if I don’t say any more.’
Available to download
DESSICATED WATER – a short story
Professor Rapson breaks astonishing new ground with his latest feat of scientific invention.
MARKHAM AND THE ANAL PROBING – a short story
When Markham disappears in the middle of nowhere, Max jumps to the logical conclusion – alien abduction.
A PERFECT STORM – a short story
For Max, what starts off as a perfectly normal week is about to degenerate into a quagmire of egotistical film producers, monumental pub crawls, unsigned contracts, exploding rocks, Professor Rapson and his megaphone, the world’s biggest bacon butty – and Angus – the third component of the most notorious love triangle since Menelaus, Paris and Whatshername – the one with the face they launched ships off.
Jodi Taylor says . . .
‘Oh yes. Calvin Cutter – bless him. His one-sided telephone call to Marge, his PA, as she’s trying to have her baby in peace was so much fun to write.’
Available to download
CHRISTMAS PAST – a short story
The First Farrell Family Christmas.
Max, Leon and Matthew – together at last for Christmas at St Mary’s – a time of conspicuous consumption, riotous misbehaviour and the traditional illegal Christmas jump. And this time, it’s inter-generational.
Jodi Taylor says . . .
‘The one where Matthew and Max take their first steps towards an understanding. The king-sized picnic they take to the starving boys was personally researched by me. I don’t think anyone realises quite how many sausages authors must force down for the sake of verisimilitude. A little more sympathy, please.’