'ALL THAT GLITTERS'

And here are the opening paragraphs . . .but not yet published.

HOLIDAY PLANS

Larry O'Keefe opened the bottom drawer of the chest. To the ordinary punter, they looked like common beach pebbles. He knew differently. When they were subjected to ultraviolet light, these fluorescent stones revealed their glittering secret.

For the serious collector, they were like gold dust. He'd seen fights break out over ownership of such rare specimens, with claims and counter claims of lying and stealing. Murder couldn't be ruled out, either; there was so much passion surrounding these smooth little beach gems.

He removed his spectacles, rubbed his eyes, tired from concentration, and looked at the clock. It was gone midnight, time to stop writing. He'd been tapping away at his keyboard since six that evening, working on his thesis, The Nature of Pebbles, with just coffee and biscuits to sustain him. He was past eating, but fancied a whisky and a bit of Duke Ellington to help him relax before bed.