Old Shoes

I’ve finally made a start on Dan 5 and a mixed experience it has turned out to be. On the wholly positive side, it’s like being back in the company of an old friend, or slipping on a comfortable pair of shoes. ‘What kept you?’ I hear Trevor Buxton ask. On the other side of the coin, I’ve been forced to read Dan 4 in order to remember who’s who and what’s what and then, of course, to draw up the condemned list. There will be, perforce, some exits.

Exits are now very much a part of my life because I live among the elderly. What am I saying? I’m among the elderly myself. This state of affairs has been sprung upon me, perhaps because I spent my sixties and early seventies focused on someone else. Now, suddenly, I’m being asked about my End of Life wishes. They are, in brief, not to have a television or radio blaring within earshot. Just an open window so I can hear birdsong, please. Oh, and preferably not to leave behind an unfinished manuscript, but I appreciate that that’s beyond the compass of modern medicine.

I may, of course, live another twenty years. This would require a genetic aberration because apart from my Great Uncle Alfred who was still riding his bike at 95, my relatives have all taken early showers, but such things can happen. And so, on, on…

 

3 Comments

  1. Elisabeth Taylor on May 2, 2022 at 9:16 am

    Delighted to hear that we’ll be reading more about Dr Dan in the not too distant future (hopefully)!
    I would also love to read more about the wonderful Lizzie Partridge – a wonderful, fairly normal (but quirky) character!
    Any other books planned?

  2. Sheila on May 9, 2022 at 11:52 pm

    So pleased you are writing Dr Dan 5. I love the first four and can’t wait for the next. These characters are like family to me.

  3. A J on May 10, 2022 at 5:49 am

    Hooray, I adore the Dr Dan books and have re-read all four heaven knows how many times…can’t wait for number 5, although I daresay I will end up having a little cry when we lose someone. I sincerely hope that you continue to be able to write for as long as you wish to.

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