Prosfic Rec Advent Calendar - Day 4 - Guess the Prosfic!

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Today's rec is a story recommended to me many years ago by someone - I'll tell you who later, too *g* - and one that I liked just as much as she did.

I'm going to try to post a few clues during the day - assuming no one guesses straight away! - and then the rec itself at the end, and we'll see how we get on. I'll screen the comments too, so that everyone who wants has a chance to guess without spoilers.

Please do guess in the comments as we go along!

Clue One (a quote - and no taking the fun out of it with sneaky cut-and-paste-and-searching!):

"'aven't even got a pressie to open," Bodie said dolefully, gazing at his breakfast toast.

"So what makes it any different from any other year?" Doyle retorted, having heard Bodie's less than enthusiastic views on the inevitable socks, ties and aftershaves chosen by a succession of girlfriends.

"Look mate, the day I stop hoping for better things is the day you can bury me."

"Besides," Doyle added, beating Bodie to the marmalade by a fingernail, "you could 'ardly 'ave a better present than gettin' down off that flamin'toadstool, could you!"

Clue Two:
This story begins with Doyle on his own - Bodie vanished several months before, and not a trace of him has been found. Cowley has Doyle working solo, and no one is admitting that Bodie's cover might have been blown to the extent that he's been killed. Then Doyle finds something rather peculiar while searching the last known haunt of the villains they were chasing, and he takes it home with him...

Clue Three:
...it sits on his mantelpiece, looking hopefully and occasionally smirking at him, until one drunken night, in a fit of maudlin, he kisses the familiar-looking face...

Comments

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

The comment about the toadstool seems awfully familiar, but I still can't place the story. Maybe with your next clue.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

I wonder if you got it with the next clues? It was my first guess-the-fic, maybe I need to use clearer clues!

[hagsrus.livejournal.com]

Guessing O Yardley, the garden gnome story - can't recall the title offhand.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

You got it - and with extra information, I rather think... *vbg*

[heliophile-oxon.livejournal.com]

Ha, I was recognising nothing that fit - totally baffled! So I reckoned it must be one I've never read (which does indeed turn out to be the case: I hadn't) and I must put my hands up and confess I cheated to find it. I won't mention a name, then! *g*

Well well well, not at all what I could ever have guessed *bg*. A tricky one, I suspect - I'll be curious to see if anyone can follow the clues without cracking and giving in like I did :-)

ETA aha, I forgot comments are screened. That's OK, then - Gnome from 'Ome, innit. No gold star, wooden spoon for me for cheating!

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Hee - it probably doesn't seem like something I'd like, but every now and then... fluff. *g* I thought it had probably been mentioned to enough people that it might seem familiar - or at least I hoped so, but who knows...?!

[macklingirl.livejournal.com]

I would like to guess, but I have no idea. :-( But I'm really curious now.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Hee - that's what I'm usually like about things!

[macklingirl.livejournal.com]

Well, you know "The revenge will be mine" *evil chuckel*. ;-)

Oh, btw. I would like to have the 23rd for a second Guess the story, if it is possible.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

It is entirely possible for you to have the 23rd - it's all yours, and I shall look forward to it! *g*