PAYNE and SUFFERING Now My name is Michael Payne. It’s taken a while, but I’ve finally worked out I’m lying in a hospital bed. This is a first. Not experienced anything remotely similar before. Already decided I don’t want to do so again. There’s a drip; there are machines all around me. I can see wires and monitors. The wires are attached to pads on my otherwise bare chest. The monitors are showing numbers and graphs. They keep changing and I don’t know why. I can hear regular bleeping noises. They are driving me mad! Then - Early Years ‘My name is Michael Payne.’ I’m in the playground. I’m eleven and it’s my first day at the big school. A girl called Penny has asked me who I am. ‘Like the film star?’ she enquires. ‘Nearly.’ ‘Can’t stand him.’ Penny slopes off with a look combining satisfaction and annoyance on her face. Now How long have I been in this room? The last thing I remember is feeling extremely unwell in my flat. My cooking isn’t great, bu...
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MILDLY BITTER Author's note - I suspect being British or appreciating how Brits behave when the weather suddenly improves as summer pays its annual fleeting visit would help your understanding here. Knowing something about British roads and pubs would also be an asset. ‘Won’t be long.’ He squeezes her arm before leaving. Which way will be quickest? He isn’t familiar with the area so he’s not sure what to do. So he watches for a moment. They seem to know where they’re going. I’ll follow them. Decisive. Confident. Assured. He’ll be there and back in no time. Good plan! Two minutes pass. Progress has been minimal. Is following others such a great idea? From where he is now, maybe the blind are leading the blind. He isn’t moving, this much is painfully obvious. The others are just in front of him, similarly immobile. People are behind him, blocking his exit. He’s stuck. Nothing he can do. He looks up at the sky for wont of something to occupy his precious time. Solid blue. It...
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ONE YEAR AT A TIME PART 2: YEAR ONE POINT FIVE – THE NEXT SIX MONTHS Please ensure you’ve read One Year At A Time – Year 1 before reading this (also available). If you don’t, you’ll be confused…. The Story So Far As the New Year begins, let’s reflect for a moment on the highs and lows of the previous year. My estranged husband Trevelyan has completed his jail sentence for possession of drugs with intent to supply. He’s served divorce papers and moved out. I have no interest in where he’s living now. If he thinks he’s getting 50% of the value of the house as a minimum settlement he will be disappointed. My daughter, Abigail (15), is still missing. The police believe she’s with a travelling circus somewhere in Europe, but I don’t think trees are being pulled up in an effort to locate her. It’s obvious my son Reggie (4), is struggling in the absence of his father and big sister. The house next door, formerly occupied by Gavin, remains unsold after his rapid departure in No...