Room 2D

From Uniform Girls 10 ‘I have to,’ she said, making a face. ‘I can’t refuse, you know that, Dave. Anyway it’s an honour: going to the big house.’ Sarah’s boyfriend David Parslow blew a contemptuous raspberry but it was true what she said. England in the 1930’s, especially in country areas, was still quite feudal. You did not want to cross the lord of the manor if you lived in rural southern England: most especially you didn’t if your father had just started working for him and your family lived in a cottage owned by that gentleman. ‘Bloody bosses,’ muttered Dave who had vague ideas of communism and revolution. Sarah smiled and told him not to swear. ‘Don’t get excited over nothing. Not on such a lovely day.’ It was a lovely day, a warm and sunny June Saturday afternoon and they were sitting on a grassy slope on the edge of a wood — Major Lambton’s wood of course —looking down over the valley with the pale pink brick of Lambt...

Five more illustrations from the Contents pages of Janus magazine, this time from Hardcastle who did a one-off for Janus 40 and then took over as in-house artist from issue 44. From Janus 40. She didn’t expect this when she came for the interview. From Janus 44. The prefect overrules her objections and the indignity of being punished with her own plimsoll will soon begin. From Janus 45. Mother looks on as father makes clear you’re never too old for punishment while you’re staying under his roof. From Janus 46. Is that Harvey Weinstein? From Janus 47. This 1930’s gangster has come fully armed.

From Blushes Supplement 28, a treat  —  a great story illustrated with lots of pictures of two gorgeous girls. This story was referenced by New Moral Order in a comment . It is late autumn, the leaves have fallen from all except the very latest trees and there is a cold wind in the air as the little Mini pursues its steady way along the narrow lane. At this time of year even though it is mid-afternoon the sun, which on this dull day is hidden by cloud, is already low in the sky. Great Midgeley is said by some to be named for the swarms of small insects which can hover annoyingly on summer evenings but at least there is not that problem in late November. Great Midgeley is one of those scattered rural villages, a few houses huddled together here and then some way along a lane will be found a couple more. The village extends in this way over several square miles though it boasts no more than perhaps 15 dwellings. If it has...