The Darkest of Matters

A flash fiction story by Brian Robinson. What you see, is not what there is: what there is, is is not what you see. The Vice-Chancellor clearly has a problem with being questioned. Well, tough shit! Four people are dead and they were all found on the Cambridge campus. "Okay, just so we're clear, you're … Continue reading The Darkest of Matters →

The Shepherds Bush Treasure

A flash fiction story by Brian Robinson. Every child's dream "This really is a lovely house, Georgian of course, full of character, and full of history too. It has so many stories to tell. In the nineteenth century for example, Robert Louis Stevenson was a regular visitor. His close friend lived here in Shepherds Bush … Continue reading The Shepherds Bush Treasure →

Gin with a Twist

By Brian Robinson. Gin with a Twist I could see the pain etched into her face, the sadness, the sense of betrayal. She had begged me to leave this alone. It’s too dangerous she’d said, but I wasn’t going to be told. Anita was my best friend. And I was determined. I could understand why … Continue reading Gin with a Twist →

Anxiety: Blushing Part 4: The Problem of Self

By Brian Robinson. If you've read parts 1, 2 and 3 you're probably wondering when we're going to get to the heart of the matter. You may also be wondering why Exposure Therapy doesn't seem to work with social phobia. For example, a man with a supermarket phobia simply has to visit the supermarket repeatedly, … Continue reading Anxiety: Blushing Part 4: The Problem of Self →

Anxiety: The Coronavirus

By Brian Robinson. A new test for us all. People suffering with health anxiety will be finding life difficult enough without the added complication of the Coronavirus. On the other hand, I recently heard a doctor say that we should all be acting like someone with Contamination OCD. So, should we all be feeling anxious; … Continue reading Anxiety: The Coronavirus →

Twenty Seven

A flash fiction story by Brian Robinson. Spacetime I noticed that the clock on my bathroom wall had stopped precisely at one minute to three. The second hand had managed the downward descent fine, but when it reached the number nine on the upward ascent, it began to falter in a pulsating time loop. I … Continue reading Twenty Seven →

Anxiety: Blushing Part 3: The Practical Pathway

By Brian Robinson. My it's hot in here. If you've read part 2, you will have met with the idea that it makes sense to at least take a brief look at what practical steps may be taken to tackle the problem of blushing. Even if that turns out to be a dead end, it … Continue reading Anxiety: Blushing Part 3: The Practical Pathway →

Anxiety: Blushing Part 2: The Therapist’s Problem.

By Brian Robinson. Our face always has a lot to say. But it doesn't always speak for us. If you've read Blushing Part 1, you will have met with the idea that blushing is a strategy designed to help keep us safe. Basically, it is one of a number of non-threatening signals we can send … Continue reading Anxiety: Blushing Part 2: The Therapist’s Problem. →

Anxiety: The Problem With Blushing. Part 1

By Brian Robinson. Why do we blush? There are several reasons why we blush. For example, we may get caught in a lie; it might be a sign of guilt or embarrassment; or indeed we sometimes blush when we are attracted to someone. But here, we are only concerned with blushing in social situations; where … Continue reading Anxiety: The Problem With Blushing. Part 1 →