Persephone Arbour

Please read the letter below, received about ten minutes ago!

“Hello Persephone, I’m sorry but I can’t wait any longer, I fully subscribe to the fact that silence is as good as the spoken word, but this has gone beyond all reasonable time frames. Love maybe in the air but that’s about all that is in the air, not even a letter to say, farewell, goodbye, see you soon, be back in five, or even gone to lunch open again at 1 o’clock. I have looked at the same postings for weeks now, hoping that some sort of movement would be forthcoming, but alas – zilch, nada, nothing. Are you still with us? I do hope so, I miss you. All my love and best wishes, your very good friend James.”

As many of you know James Bonsor has been a consistent reader and contributor to this news letter almost from the beginning. I have been increasingly uncomfortable with the knowledge that over the past two months I have not posted anything at all – let alone sent out another newsletter! Then this evening dear James just reminded me of what I already knew – but had chosen to ignore! I immediately posted ‘My Munich Experience’ which had been written whilst I was in Germany.

Apart from that trip, my dear partner Jack has moved in with me. Trying to fit two homes into one rather small one is still proving chaotic – I don’t do chaos very well I’m afraid. However, we seem to be weathering any threatening storms very well indeed. It is a joy to have him here and feel his dedication and committment to creating a home here with me. I have lived on my own for about twenty-eight years, and he also for a considerable time. However, it became crystal clear that at our age (we are both seventy-eight), we wanted to make the most of what time we have left – together. And, seven weeks prior to my German trip I had my second knee replacement which has proved more troublesome than the first one. Also a new kitchen, sofa-bed (for guests) and many white Billy Bookcases have been bought. The latter to house what remains of Jack’s enormous collection of books, at the moment all tucked away in 15 large banana boxes in the sitting room!

So to all of you who read my posts and/or receive my newsletter . . . I am really sorry for my absence and hope to meet you all again in a newsletter sometime in November. Before that I go my first Discworld conference – yes, the world of Terry Pratchett is now open to me – much to learn and experience there. Jack and his co-writer Ian Stewart have written three of the Science of Discworld books with Terry – and are now involved in number 4! I will give a report on my return.

So, now to post this letter . . . any new readers may be somewhat bemused – but those who read my newsletters will now have been kept up to date. Thanks must go to dear James for chivvying me in his inimitable way!