Mr Stephen Spindrift - amateur inventor and and antiquarian bookshop owner - put the finishing touches to his new two-seater eco-friendly motorcycle - ( which ran on biodiesel ) and decided that his long-time friend Ms Beatrice Owens was the perfect person to accompany him on a test drive.

Ms Owens donned her goggles and warm flying jacket, Mr Spindrift strapped on a makeshift helmet, and they set off on a most bracing midnight drive over the Thurstaston Hills - illuminated by the full moon and gently falling snow.

Marwood found the ride to be somewhat less exhilarating than the others...
But once a lemur-sized seat was installed, (allowing him to accompany the pair without the risk of being flung from the bike) he rather enjoyed himself.

.........................

Note: Mr Spindrift is based on my fantastic Uncle. He does not own an antiquarian bookshop (but he'd be very good at it, as he loves books, and already owns enough to stock a small library.)
Neither is he an inventor - amateur or otherwise - although he is a wonderful spinner of stories and fables and poems.

The beard, however, is real. That's just how it looks.
Yes, it really is that long and resplendent.

**** Update - huuuuuuge big thanks to Mollinda and PurpelBlur for the Daily Deviation - and for all you lovely folks who've favourited and sent incredibly kind comments - I really appreciate it! ****