Telling tales out of school

Published: 27 May, 2010

• “NOBLESSE oblige” is all very well
provided you choose a real lady:
but if your ex-royal’s a devolved   
                                      duchess
it’s no shock if her conduct seems shady.

As for my status, I am – you should                    
                                            know –
a downmarket old gossip in the main.
My upper-crust connections are only                    
                                              occasional
but those girls who leak secrets are a
                                                pain.

Nor are males any better; they cheat                
                           when they can
and later, quite po-faced, deny it.
So it’s wise not to challenge whatever           
                                         they say,
just look underwhelmed when they try it.

The truth’s undeniable – the whole human race
misbehaves without undue misgiving;
then papers bribe girls – drop us all in                    
                                       the soup –
sell more copies, add some spice to our                
                                               living!

GRAHAM TAYLOR
Fortess Road, NW5