'Jim Bloom's Van'

We continue with Tom Johnstone's collection Last Stop Wellsbourne, and a story about a team of council workers whose duties include emptying bins and disposing of Christmas trees. The seasonal time frame does not guarantee jollity, though. In fact, this one echoes previous tales, in that it deals with the outsider who is victimised simply for being different.

The van in questioned belonged to a member of the team who was murdered by three unknown assailants on a night out. Bloom was a bit New Agey, and when Sam, his colleague, attends the funeral he finds that it takes place out in the woods, near the mysterious Wakeman Recreation Ground. Wake-man, Re-creation - geddit? It's quickly apparent that Bloom is dead but not yet gone and his killers get their comeuppance. There are some good full-on horror moments, and a decent twist in the tale.

The author's point is not only that Britain is becoming a more vicious, cruel and narrow-minded place, but that people who think themselves decent aren't doing enough to stop the rot. I have to agree.

Let us see what the next tale brings.