...forever.

Christopher 4 months ago

Really touching, Neville. It was nice seeing the story from both sides, as tragic as the story is.

Peter Henderson 4 months ago

Life is like a battery, it doesn't work unless you have a positive and negative side.

Neville Hunt 4 months ago

Thanks Christopher and Peter. Nice comments.

Drew Martyn 4 months ago

Neville, without doubt this is some of the most moving writing I've read in years - and one of the cleverest, best constructed pieces too; which, for me, increases it's impact. I'm not ashamed to say that the last 400 words had me close to tears (and I don't do tears as a rule).
I now see where the postscript fits in, and, leaving emotion to one side, that drabble rounds off the series perfectly.
Obviously this is a great tribute to the couple, but as a piece of writing in itself it is wonderful, you've really got inside the characters and the situation. You should feel very proud of this series mate, it's spectacular!

Neville Hunt 4 months ago

Thank you very much Drew. It was written from the heart and is a drabblified version of a piece (or in fact a couple of pieces) I wrote for our new local writing group. When my wife read it she was in tears. When I dared to show her the final postscript drabble an hour ago she was in tears. I was in tears as I typed them and was a bit choked when I read them to the writer’s group. My niece read them on the train back to London and she reports that she was in tears all the way...

Neville Hunt 4 months ago

...Of course, we all knew the couple involved really well and the old lady’s monologue is true and he husband’s is firmly rooted in the truth. I guess that’s why it has such power to move us all. Thanks so much for reading and your wonderful comments. I was sure the series had passed you by, so no apologies for the nudge!

Drew Martyn 4 months ago

Ha, no, definitely no apologies needed :)
If it's not too trite to say such a thing, it's good to see something creatively beautiful coming out of a very sad situation.

Neville Hunt 4 months ago

It has surprised me how upset I have been myself. I think my grief is for my wife, who, having been so dominated by her mother when she met me (an unsuitable suitor) and how over the years she, who in her quiet way is also a force to be reckoned with (just ask my kids!) has managed to become very much her own person, starting by insisting that she would marry me (a good call!).... at which point the battle lines were drawn... But I forgive, and so, it seems, did the old lady! In the end I was ‘the only one who really understood her’!

Drew Martyn 4 months ago

I understand that, it's often worse to watch someone someone you love in a difficult and testing situation than it is to be in it yourself. But Mrs H sounds a strong resilient woman and with your support she'll be fine I'm sure.
Have you thought of putting what you've just written about into a short story Neville? Probably too close to the situation at the moment, but perhaps in the future?

Neville Hunt 4 months ago

That’s an interesting idea Drew. I might well look at that in the New Year - although Fedelta needs some urgent attention! I had wondered if the two monologues might make a short radio episode, but at only 1400 words it wouldn’t naturally fit into a time segment. As a short story it might fit in one of those 15 minute Radio 4 slots... or am I getting too ambitious perhaps? I do record some of my stories for my daughter, who’s partially sighted and many of them seem to be 15 minutes or thereabouts and put them on Dropbox for her. I might try it out, if I don’t get too choked up reading it...

Neville Hunt 4 months ago

...although Mrs H would no doubt criticise me for delivering her mum’s bit despite not being a woman. Might do it anyway though and not tell her...

Drew Martyn 4 months ago

In my opinion (admittedly from the few I've heard) I reckon it would stand up well against others, so no you're not getting getting too ambitious. And (risking being very insensitive here) perhaps your daughter or Mrs H would think about reading her mum's part at some point in the future?

Neville Hunt 4 months ago

Thanks Drew. Mrs H would never do anything like recording stuff... but my daughter, who is really confident (but denies it strenuously) might be up for it as we fuel each other’s confidence. Her only limitation might be her partial sightedness though... but I will ask and it wouldn’t upset her.

Drew Martyn 4 months ago

Excellent, keep us posted Neville. I'm sure the pair of you will do a great job :)

Neville Hunt 4 months ago

Asked my daughter tonight as I drove her + partner to a gig (he’s lead guitarist in a local rock band). She said “I’ll give it a go!” I expected no less! 🎸