Heard It on the Grapevine

The first story “Love Token” is set in one of the great country houses of England at the time of the First World War. The servants below stairs are gearing up for a house party for thirty guests. Inevitably, the old social set-up disintegrates under the pressures of the war. It is also a love story.
The second story “Dear Olivia” is a series of e-mails between Cathy and her friend and confidant Olivia. Her friend advises her and warns her, but she doesn’t want to listen.
“Lavender” is a love story set in an old-age home. What the eighty-year-old love-birds don’t appreciate is that their romance is seen as a threat by their children: especially the prospect of losing their inheritance.
“Lemon Juice” is about revenge. The setting is a press conference where a film star is presenting her new range of beauty products to the public. Meanwhile, a member of the audience plans to take revenge on her. The conventional saying is: “when life gives you a lemon…. make lemonade”. However, in this story, the woman seeking revenge forces the other person to drink lemon juice.
The story “Kaffee Klatsch” (gossip in English) is about two elderly women, friends for fifty years. Both women fall in love with the same man which puts their relationship under considerable strain. However, their friendship survives the crisis and when it is finally over the two old dears are ready to make the same mistake all over again.
“Revenge is Sour” contradicts the expression that revenge is sweet.
“Writers’ Block” is a story of a writer facing a dry creative patch as she approaches the end of her career. When she discovers a novice writer with talent, she decided to steal the younger woman’s work and to do this she needs to murder her.
“Lipstick on the Collar” is about a crook getting his just deserts.
The next three stories are about divorce, set in America, England and Ireland. Divorce, we discover, means different things to different cultures.
In “Rules of the Game”, the rules are about survival in the corporate world. Uncle Al takes it upon himself to teach his nephew the unwritten rules. His nephew views him as old and cynical while Uncle Al views him as naïve. The reader is left to judge for herself which point of view is correct.
The story “Heard it on the Grapevine” is a portrait of a sociopath manager. Perhaps, you have run across him during your career. Recognise him and avoid him at all costs. The writer proposes that the higher the level in a company, the greater the proportion of sociopaths. These people are viewed as “gurus’, “visionaries” and “dynamic”. Don’t be fooled. They are incredibly destructive.
“The Corporate Smile” is dripping with sarcasm. Learn how to get to the top by smiling rather than by working hard. In the corporate world, smiling is a weapon of mass deceit.
“The Max principle” is a story about the mentality of entitlement, or how people justify doing bad things.
Say “hello” to a team of demotivated subordinates in: “Why Should I?” These people believe that the company owes them a living. Maybe, you know people like this at your place of work? Maybe you are one, yourself.
In “Lambe to the Slaughter” pity Frank Lambe, the project manager, running around in circles trying to satisfy every boss and his dog. Call in the consultants! Sack the consultants! Call in new consultants! Frank isn’t coping.
“Black Dog” is a humorous story about office politics. Enjoy a laugh at people’s behaviour when things go wrong. However, if you’ve been in a similar situation yourself, you might not find it very funny.
“Chairman of the Board” is a total farce. Do be careful not to ask the chairman of the board difficult questions at his annual communication session. It might not be very good for your career.
“What About Me?” is humorous story of a young man trying to be popular with all the women at the office. Popularity, he discovers, comes at a price.