Charlie Horse has very set ideas of just how his pub should be run. No food (apart from crisps and nuts) and very definite ideas about what kind of customers are welcome in his hostelry. Unbeknown to Charlie however, there is something very odd indeed going on in "The Bucket and Shovel", and for just this once, Charlie is going to be the last person to find out. Because very shortly, an inspector is going to...

Charlie Horse has very set ideas of just how his pub should be run. No food (apart from crisps and nuts) and very definite ideas about what kind of customers are welcome in his hostelry. Unbeknown to Charlie however, there is something very odd indeed going on in "The Bucket and Shovel", and for just this once, Charlie is going to be the last person to find out. Because very shortly, an inspector is going to call...Please note this is a short story and is quite difficult to categorise - there are slight elements of fantasy (although it has a contemporary setting) as well as a smattering of mystery, and also is intended to have a slight Pratchettesque feeling to it. This short story is also available in the "Paul McCartney's Coat and Other Stories" collection, along with nine other tales, and is available to purchase separately.