When you first think of this word, it is with a slippery slope in mind.
I’ve been on a few of those in my time.
And while we’re on the subject, those inclines measured in degrees are very important if you want a train to get up and down the side of a mountain.
For the train, that’s an incline plane, the point where traction alone won’t get the iron horse up the hill.
Did I say ‘Iron Horse’? Sorry, regressed there, back to the mid-1800s in the American West for a moment.
It’s not that important when it comes to trucks and cars, and less so if you like four-wheel driving; getting up near-vertical mountainsides often present a welcome challenge to the true enthusiast
But for the rest of us, not so much if you find yourself sliding in reverse uncontrollably into the bay. I’m sure it’s happened more than once.
Then…
Are you inclined to go?
A very different sort of incline, ie to be disposed towards an attitude or desire.
An inclination, maybe, not to go four-wheel driving?
There is another, probably more obscure use of the word incline, and that relates to an elevated geological formation. Not the sort of reference that crops up in everyday conversation at the coffee shop.
But, you never know. Try it next time you have coffee and see what happens.
Hang about. Didn’t I read somewhere you need to plan your novel, create an outline setting the plot points, and flesh out the characters?
I’m sure it didn’t say, sit down and start writing!
Time to find a writing pad, and put my thinking cap on.
I make a list, what’s the story going to be about? Who’s going to be in it, at least at the start?
Like a newspaper story, I need a who, what, when, where, and how.
Right now.
I pick up the pen.
Character number one:
Computer nerd, ok, that’s a little close to the bone, a computer manager who is trying to be everything at once, and failing. Still me, but with a twist. Now, add a little mystery to him, and give him a secret, one that will only be revealed after a specific set of circumstance. Yes, I like that.
We’ll call him Bill, ex-regular army, a badly injured and repatriated soldier who was sent to fight a war in Vietnam, the result of which had made him, at times, unfit to live with.
He had a wife, which brings us to,
Character number two:
Ellen, Bill’s ex-wife, an army brat and a General’s daughter, and the result of one of those romances that met disapproval for so many reasons. It worked until Bill came back from the war, and from there it slowly disintegrated. There are two daughters, both by the time the novel begins, old enough to understand the ramifications of a divorce.
Character number three:
The man who is Bill’s immediate superior, the Services Department manager, a rather officious man who blindly follows orders, a man who takes pleasure in making others feel small and insignificant, and worst of all, takes the credit where none is due.
Oops, too much, that is my old boss. He’ll know immediately I’m parodying him. Tone it down, just a little, but more or less that’s him. Last name Benton. He will play a small role in the story.
Character number four:
Jennifer, the IT Department’s assistant manager, a woman who arrives in a shroud of mystery, and then, in time, to provide Bill with a shoulder to cry on when he and Ellen finally split, and perhaps something else later on.
More on her later as the story unfolds.
So far so good.
What’s the plot?
Huge corporation plotting to take over the world using computers? No, that’s been done to death.
Huge corporation, OK, let’s stop blaming the corporate world for everything wrong in the world. Corporations are not bad people, people are the bad people. That’s a rip off cliché, from guns don’t kill people, people kill people! There will be guns, and there will be dead people.
There will be people hiding behind a huge corporation, using a part of their computer network to move billions of illegally gained money around. That’s better.
Now, having got that, our ‘hero’ has to ‘discover’ this network, and the people behind it.
All we need now is to set the ball rolling, a single event that ‘throws a cat among the pigeons’.
Yes, Bill is on holidays, a welcome relief from the problems of work. He dreams of what he’s going to do for the next two weeks. The phone rings. Benton calling, the world is coming to an end, the network is down. He’s needed. A few terse words, but he relents.
There’s something to be said for a story that starts like a James Bond movie, throwing you straight in the deep end, a perfect way of getting to know the main character, David, or is that Alistair?
A retired spy, well, not so much a spy as a retired errand boy, David’s rather wry description of his talents, and a woman that most men would give their left arm for, not exactly the ideal couple, but there is a spark in a meeting that may or may not have been a setup.
But as the story progressed, the question I kept asking myself was why he’d bother.
And, page after unrelenting page, you find out.
Susan is exactly the sort of woman to pique his interest. Then, inexplicably, she disappears. That might have been the end of it, but Prendergast, that shadowy enigma, David’s ex-boss who loves playing games with real people, gives him an ultimatum: find her or come back to work.
Nothing like an offer that’s a double-edged sword!
A dragon for a mother, a sister he didn’t know about, Susan’s BFF who is not what she seems or a friend indeed, and Susan’s father, who, up till David meets her, couldn’t be less interested, his nemesis proves to be the impossible dream, and he’s always just that one step behind.
When the rollercoaster finally came to a halt, and I could start breathing again, it was an ending that was completely unexpected.
One‑Day Stopover in Prague? Spend It All at Prague Castle
If you’ve only got a single day to soak up the magic of the Czech capital, there’s one place that will give you a crash‑course in history, architecture, and breathtaking views—all in one unforgettable stop.
Why Prague Castle is the Ultimate One‑Day Highlight
What you get
How it fits a tight schedule
A panoramic cityscape – From the castle’s highest towers you can see the Vltava River snaking through the red‑tiled roofs, the spires of St. Vitus, and the iconic Charles Bridge.
Compact “must‑see” circuit – The main attractions (St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, Golden Lane) are within a 15‑minute walk of each other.
Layers of history – From a 9th‑century wooden fort to Habsburg‑era palaces, you’ll walk through more than a thousand years of Czech story in a couple of hours.
Flexible timing – Even a 2‑hour “quick tour” feels complete; a deeper dive can stretch to 4‑5 hours if you have the time.
Iconic photo‑ops – Sunset over the city, the gilded Saint George statue, the winding golden lane – Instagram‑ready moments at every turn.
Easy access – A short tram ride (or a 20‑minute walk from the Old Town) drops you right at the main gate; the castle is free to explore the courtyards, and ticketed sections are clearly marked.
Café culture – The castle grounds host charming cafés where you can sip a Czech “kafe” while the city bustles below.
No language barrier – Audio guides in English (and many other languages) are available at the ticket windows, so you won’t miss a thing.
How to Make the Most of Your Castle Visit
1. Start Early – Get the Tram (Line 22) to “Pražský hrad”
The first tram out of Old Town Square (stop “Staroměstská”) arrives at the castle gates by 9 am. Beat the tourist crowds and the midday heat, and you’ll have the terrace of St. Vitus Cathedral all to yourself for that perfect sunrise shot.
2. Grab a Fast‑Pass Ticket (or Skip‑the‑Line App)
If you’re travelling in peak season (May‑September), buy a “Castle Pass” online before you land. It gives you priority entry to the St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, and Golden Lane—the three “must‑see” interiors. The pass costs about €12 and saves you 30‑45 minutes of waiting.
3. Follow the “Three‑Spot Circuit”
Spot
Time Needed
What to Spot
St. Vitus Cathedral
30–45 min
Gothic spires, the stunning Astronomical Clock (different from the one in the Old Town), the royal tombs.
Old Royal Palace & Vladislav Hall
30 min
The grand hall where coronations once took place; a glimpse of medieval frescoes.
Golden Lane
20 min
Colorful tiny houses that once housed castle guards and later Alphonse Mucha’s studio.
Tip: Walk the circuit clockwise. It follows the natural flow of the historic layout and keeps you moving forward without backtracking.
4. Take a Break at Café Mlejnice (or the Castle’s “Cafe Kavárna”)
Around noon, let the castle’s own café treat you to a warm bowl of goulash with dumplings or a simple Czech pastry. Pair it with a mug of locally roasted coffee while you watch the city spread out below.
5. **Don’t Miss the Sunset from Rudolfinum Tower
If your schedule allows, stay until the late afternoon. The Rudolfinum Tower (a short 10‑minute walk from the main gate) offers a 360° view that transforms the city into a golden‑glow canvas—ideal for that final, memory‑making photo.
Free for the courtyards; €10–€12 for the “combined ticket.”
Getting There
Tram 22 (or 20) from Old Town → “Pražský hrad.” Walking distance from the Charles Bridge (≈20 min).
What to Wear
Comfortable shoes (cobblestones), light rain jacket (prague weather is unpredictable), a small day‑pack (no large bags allowed in some interiors).
Nearby Toilets
Public WC at the “Růžový palác” (Rose Palace) near the main entrance – free with ticket.
Kid‑Friendly
The Golden Lane feels like a storybook; there’s a small kids’ treasure hunt map at the ticket office (free).
The One‑Day Itinerary (All Clock‑Times Approximate)
Time
Activity
08:30
Arrive in Prague (airport or train). Grab a coffee and a quick bite at a bakery near the main station.
09:15
Tram 22 to “Pražský hrad.”
09:45
Enter castle gates, start the Three‑Spot Circuit (St. Vitus → Old Royal Palace → Golden Lane).
12:15
Lunch break at the castle café (or a nearby traditional Czech restaurant in Malá Strana).
13:30
Walk down the historic Lobkowicz Palace gardens (optional, free) toward the Charles Bridge.
14:30
Stroll across the Charles Bridge, snap photos of the statues, and explore the Old Town Square if time permits.
16:00
Return to the castle’s Rudolfinum Tower for sunset views.
17:30
Head back to the airport/train station via tram 22 (or a taxi if you’re in a hurry).
Pro tip: If your flight departs late in the evening, you can swap the sunset view for a twilight walk along the Vltava’s embankment, enjoying the city lights reflecting on the water.
Wrap‑Up: Why One Spot Beats Ten
A bustling city like Prague tempts you to “see it all,” but a single, well‑chosen landmark can give you the essence of the place without the stress of a rushed checklist. Prague Castle packs history, culture, panoramic scenery, and that palpable sense of being at the heart of Europe—all in one compact, walkable area.
So, when your itinerary shrinks to a single day, set your compass for the castle walls, and let the city’s story unfold beneath your feet.
Ready to make your stopover unforgettable? Book your tram ticket, snag a fast‑pass, and let Prague Castle be the unforgettable centrepiece of your Czech adventure.
Happy travels—and don’t forget to tag your sunrise castle photos with #PragueInADay!
Known only to a few, there is a legend that a ship named the ‘Flying Dutchman’ left Nazi Germany in the last weeks of the war and set sail for America, escorted by U-boats, under a different name. Aboard was a trove of treasure and gold worth a ‘king’s ransom’.
It was said that it had been sent to a group of American Nazis to create the Fourth Reich at an appropriate time. Over the years, many expeditions off the coast had searched, but found no trace of the vessel or the treasure.
In other words, it was just a legend created to boost tourism.
…
Fast forward to 2024. Our intrepid private detective, Harry Walthenson, overhears a conversation at Grand Central Station. It was the oddness of the message that caught his attention. An investigation turned up nothing out of the ordinary, and he thinks no more about it.
Then Harry is kidnapped, interrogated, and asked questions over and over about a date and a place, why he went there, and when he could not give satisfactory answers, he was beaten half to death and left for dead on a rubbish heap. He was lucky that it was a living space for homeless men; otherwise, he would have died.
In the aftermath, he once again gives it no more thought.
…
After resolving his first case successfully, there’s no rest. Harry’s angry mother comes to his office and demands that he find out where his father has gone. She believes he has run off with a mistress, not for the first time.
Perhaps it was not the wisest decision she has made, because Harry promises to investigate, and adds that she might not like what he finds.
He soon discovered he does not like what he finds, that his father’s friends, a cabal formed at University, have two who are his mother’s current lovers, and another, a criminal blackmailing his father.
Felicity, now his partner, working on a different case, and trying to get answers, uncovers a crime family involved in guarding a disused warehouse on the docks, where she believes Harry had been taken for interrogation, and subsequently dumped nearby to die.
Why are they up to? What is so important that the empty warehouse needs guarding? Who is employing them?
Harry, following up on the death of the blackmailer, traces his death back to an enforcer employed by his grandfather. His mother’s grandfather was a pre-war industrialist who made his fortune in war munitions and shipbuilding.
He was also a member of the American Nazi party.
When Harry also discovers a logbook belonging to a so-called wartime Liberty ship the “Paul Revere” in brackets ‘Freiheitskämpfer’, hidden by his father, and written in a code that is not readily identifiable.
It is no longer a matter of a father who has run off with his mistress; it is a very frightened man in fear of his life, running from a group who will stop at nothing to get the logbook back. And when Harry discovers a family connection to the group, it becomes a race against time to decode the log and find his father before his grandfather does.
…
Coming soon: Harry Walthenson’s new adventure – A case of finding the ‘Flying Dutchman’
Why Writing About What You Know Can Be Harder Than Writing About What Surprises You (And How to Overcome It)
Introduction
You’ve spent years mastering your craft, building a deep knowledge base, and now you’re asked to write about it. Yet, the blank screen stares back, and the words refuse to flow. Surprisingly, many writers find it easier to write about a subject that fascinates or even intimidates them than about something they already know inside and out.
In this post we’ll explore the paradox of familiarity, unpack the emotional and technical obstacles that make “writing about what you know” feel like a slog, and deliver a step‑by‑step framework to turn that expertise into high‑quality, SEO‑friendly content that readers (and Google) love.
Pros: Fresh curiosity, high emotional stakes, “novelty” factor.
Cons: Fear of sounding boring, assumptions of shared knowledge, perfectionism.
Cons: Limited background research needed, risk of inaccuracy.
Pros: Authority, depth, credibility.
Even though familiar topics give you authority, they also bring invisible friction:
Assumed knowledge: You skip explanations you think are “obvious,” leaving readers confused.
Perfectionism: You feel pressured to be exactly right, which can freeze the writing process.
Self‑censorship: You worry about sounding “pretentious” or “dry.”
The result? Writer’s block, a flat tone, and content that under‑delivers on both reader value and SEO potential.
2. Psychological Barriers When Writing About What You Know
2.1 The “Expert’s Curse”
When you’ve internalized a topic, it’s easy to forget what beginners struggle with. This “curse of knowledge” creates a mental gap between your expertise and the reader’s understanding, making it hard to translate that knowledge into accessible language.
2.2 Fear of Redundancy
You might think, “Everyone already knows this.” That fear pushes you to over‑edit or abandon the piece altogether, believing the content won’t add value.
2.3 Perfection Paralysis
Because you can prove every point, you feel obligated to double‑check every fact, turning a 500‑word draft into an endless research marathon.
2.4 Emotional Distance
Writing about a subject that’s personal (e.g., a hobby you love) can trigger emotional over‑investment. You become overly protective of the content, stalling revision and publication.
3. The Unexpected Freedom of Writing About the Unknown
When you write about something that surprises you, a few psychological boosters kick in:
Boost
Why It Helps
Curiosity
Triggers dopamine, energizing the writing flow.
Low stakes
You’re less likely to worry about “getting it perfect.”
Novelty bias
Readers (and search engines) love fresh angles, encouraging you to dig deeper.
The flip side? You may need to research more to avoid inaccuracies, but the process often feels more adventurous and less intimidating than confronting your own expertise.
4. Practical Strategies to Make Familiar Topics Shine
Below is a step‑by‑step framework you can apply to any piece where you’re writing about what you already know. Each step integrates SEO best practices without sacrificing readability.
4.1 Reframe Your Perspective
Adopt a “Beginner’s Mindset.” Imagine you’re explaining the topic to a 12‑year‑old or a new hire.
Ask “Why does this matter to them?” Focus on benefits, not just facts.
Write a one‑sentence “value proposition.” Example: “Learn three quick hacks to cut your email inbox in half, even if you’ve been managing it for years.”
4.2 Use Storytelling & Personal Anecdotes
Hook: Start with a vivid anecdote that illustrates the problem.
Conflict: Show the struggle you faced despite your expertise.
Resolution: Deliver actionable tips that solved the issue.
Example: “When I first automated my reporting workflow, I thought the biggest hurdle would be the tech. Instead, it was convincing my team that the new dashboard was trustworthy.”
Stories humanize expertise, making dense information more relatable and SEO‑friendly (Google favors dwell time).
4.3 Drill Deeper: Find the “Angle”
Your expert knowledge likely includes niche sub‑topics that few others have covered. Use these to differentiate your post:
Typical Angle
How to Find It
Common myth busting
List the top 3 misconceptions you’ve heard.
Process walkthrough
Break a complex workflow into a step‑by‑step guide.
Case study
Share real data from your own project.
Tool comparison
Provide a side‑by‑side matrix of pros/cons for tools you use daily.
4.4 Leverage Fresh Research & Data
Even when you’re the authority, up‑to‑date statistics amp up credibility and SEO:
Pull the latest industry reports (e.g., HubSpot, Statista).
Quote expert interviews (including your own).
Add visual assets: charts, infographics, or screenshots.
Tip: Embed a Google Data Studio chart on your page. It’s interactive, improves dwell time, and signals freshness to Google.
4.5 Structure for Readability & SEO
Title – Include primary keyword early: “How to Write About What You Know (Even When It Feels Hard)”
Meta Description – 150‑160 characters, incorporating the same keyword.
H1, H2, H3 – Use a logical hierarchy with keyword variations.
Internal Links – Connect to 2‑3 related posts on your site (e.g., “5 Ways to Overcome Writer’s Block”).
External Links – Cite authoritative sources.
Call‑to‑Action (CTA) – End with a prompt (download a checklist, sign up for a newsletter).
SEO Boost: Add a FAQ schema (structured data) using the questions in the final FAQ section. This often earns featured snippets.
5. When to Choose Surprise Over Familiarity
Sometimes the best approach is to pivot and write about a topic that genuinely excites you, even if it’s outside your core expertise. Consider this path when:
You’re experiencing burnout on a particular niche.
Your analytics show a decline in engagement for evergreen content.
You spot a trending keyword that aligns loosely with your brand but offers a fresh angle.
Hybrid Strategy: Write a “Beginner’s Guide” to the surprising topic, then sprinkle in expert insights from your main field to create a unique cross‑disciplinary piece. This can attract new audiences while retaining authority.
6. SEO Checklist for Expert Content
Item
Why It Matters
Target keyword in title (within first 60 characters)
Writing about what you already know can feel like navigating a maze of perfectionism, assumed knowledge, and fear of redundancy. Yet, by reframing your mindset, injecting storytelling, digging for fresh angles, and structuring for SEO, you can transform your expertise into magnetic, high‑ranking content.
Ready to turn your expertise into traffic‑generating copy? Download our free “Expert to Engager” checklist and start publishing your next powerhouse article today!
8. Frequently Asked Questions
Question
Answer
Why does writing about familiar topics feel harder?
The “expert’s curse,” fear of redundancy, and perfectionism create mental blocks that stall the writing flow.
How can I avoid sounding pretentious when writing about my field?
Adopt a beginner’s mindset, use plain language, and pepper your piece with relatable anecdotes.
Is it better for SEO to write about trending topics or evergreen expertise?
A mix works best: evergreen content builds long‑term authority, while trending pieces capture short‑term traffic spikes.
How many times should I edit an expert article?
Aim for 3 passes: (1) Content & structure, (2) Clarity & readability, (3) SEO & final polish.
What’s the quickest way to add credibility to a familiar‑topic post?
Insert recent data, cite authoritative sources, and embed a visual (chart/infographic).
TL;DR
Familiar topics trigger psychological blocks that make writing feel tougher.
Reframe, story‑tell, find a unique angle, and back it with fresh data.
Follow the SEO checklist to turn expertise into searchable, shareable content.
Take the first step now: [Download the free “Expert to Engager” checklist] and watch your knowledge convert into clicks, leads, and lasting authority.
50 photographs, 50 stories, of which there is one of the 50 below.
They all start with –
A picture paints … well, as many words as you like. For instance:
And, the story:
Have you ever watched your hopes and dreams simply fly away?
Everything I thought I wanted and needed had just left in an aeroplane, and although I said I was not going to, I came to the airport to see the plane leave. Not the person on it, that would have been far too difficult and emotional, but perhaps it was symbolic, the end of one life and the start of another.
But no matter what I thought or felt, we had both come to the right decision. She needed the opportunity to spread her wings. It was probably not the best idea for her to apply for the job without telling me, but I understood her reasons.
She was in a rut. Though her job was a very good one, it was not as demanding as she had expected, particularly after the last promotion, but with it came resentment from others on her level that she, the youngest of the group, would get the position.
It was something that had been weighing her down for the last three months, and if she noticed it, the late nights, the moodiness, sometimes a flash of temper. I knew she had one; no one could have such red hair and not, but she had always kept it in check.
And then there was us, together, and after seven years, it felt like we were going nowhere. Perhaps that was down to my lack of ambition, and though she never said it, lack of sophistication. It hadn’t been an issue, well, not until her last promotion, and the fact that she had to entertain more, and frankly, I felt like an embarrassment to her.
So, there it was, three days ago, the beginning of the weekend, and we had planned to go away for a few days and take stock. We both acknowledged we needed to talk, but it never seemed the right time.
It was then that she said she had quit her job and found a new one. Starting the following Monday.
Ok, that took me by surprise, not so much that it was something I sort of guessed might happen, but that she would just blurt it out.
I think that right then, at that moment, I could feel her frustration with everything around her.
What surprised her was my reaction. None.
I simply asked who, where, and when.
A world-class newspaper in New York, and she had to be there in a week.
A week.
It was all the time I had left with her.
I remember just shrugging and asking if the planned weekend away was off.
She stood on the other side of the kitchen counter, hands around a cup of coffee she had just poured, and that one thing I remembered was the lone tear that ran down her cheek.
Is that all you want to know?
I did, yes, but we had lost the intimacy we used to have, where she would have told me what was happening, and we would have brainstormed solutions. I might be a cabinet maker, but I still had a brain, was what I overheard her tell a friend once.
There’s not much to ask, I said. You’ve been desperately unhappy and haven’t been able to hide it all that well, you have been under a lot of pressure trying to deal with a group of troglodytes, and you’ve been leaning on Bentley’s shoulder instead of mine, and I get it, he’s got more experience in that place, and the politics that go with it, and is still an ally.
Her immediate superior was instrumental in her getting the position, but unlike some men in his position, he had not taken advantage of the situation like some might. And even if she had made a move, which I doubted, that was not the sort of woman she was, he would have politely declined.
One of the very few happily married men in that organisation, so I heard.
So, she said, you’re not just a pretty face.
Par for the course for a cabinet maker whose university degree is in psychology. It doesn’t take rocket science to see what was happening to you. I just didn’t think it was my place to jump in unless you asked me, and when you didn’t, well, that told me everything I needed to know.
Yes, our relationship had a use-by date, and it was in the next few days.
I was thinking, she said, that you might come with me; you can make cabinets anywhere.
I could, but I think the real problem wasn’t just the job. It was everything around her and going with her that would just be a constant reminder of what had been holding her back. I didn’t want that for her and said so.
Then the only question left was, what do we do now?
Go shopping for suitcases. Bags to pack, and places to go.
Getting on the roller coaster is easy. At the beginning, it’s a slow, easy ride, followed by the slow climb to the top. It’s much like some relationships; they start out easy, they require a little work to get to the next level, followed by the adrenaline rush when it all comes together.
What most people forget is that what comes down must go back up, and life is pretty much a roller coaster with highs and lows.
Our roller coaster had just come out of the final turn, and we were braking so that it would stop at the station.
There was no question of going with her to New York. Yes, I promised I’d come over and visit her, but that was a promise with crossed fingers behind my back. After a few months in the new job, the last thing she’d want was a reminder of what she left behind. New friends, new life.
We packed her bags, threw out everything she didn’t want, a free trip to the op shop with stuff she knew others would like to have, and basically, by the time she was ready to go, there was nothing left of her in the apartment, or anywhere.
Her friends would be seeing her off at the airport, and that’s when I told her I was not coming; that moment, the taxi arrived to take her away forever. I remember standing there, watching the taxi go. It was going to be, and was, as hard as it was to watch the plane leave.
So, there I was, finally staring at the blank sky, around me a dozen other plane spotters, a rather motley crew of plane enthusiasts.
Already that morning, there had been 6 different types of planes departing, and I could hear another winding up its engines for take-off.
People coming, people going.
Maybe I would go to New York in a couple of months, not to see her, but just to see what the attraction was. Or maybe I would drop in, just to see how she was.
As one of my friends told me when I gave him the news, the future is never written in stone, and it’s about time you broadened your horizons.
I’m back home and this story has been sitting on the back burner for a few months, waiting for some more to be written.
The trouble is, there are also other stories to write, and I’m not very good at prioritizing.
But, here we are, a few minutes opened up and it didn’t take long to get back into the groove.
Chasing leads, maybe
Needing to know more about Severin, aka David Westcott trumped talking to Jan. As it stood, it was difficult to know where her allegiances lay, with Dobbin, her handler, or someone else.
I hailed a cab and headed back to the office. I wanted to spend some time on the computer, hoping I had enough clearance to poke around in the departmental records, in particular personnel.
Just as the taxi dropped me outside the anonymous sandstone building, my phone rang. I doubt it would be Severin again.
“Where are you?”
Jan.
“I do actually have a life, despite what you or Dobbin might think. I’m not sure I really want to have anything to do with you after what I saw you people do to Maury. Aside from the fact that you told me he had found the tracker and disposed of it. Once you start telling lies, there’s no going back.”
“I had nothing to do with that.”
“You were holding him for the interrogation squad. That makes you complicit. It also makes me very wary about what Dobbin will do to me if he thinks I know anything, which I don’t.”
“As far as I’m aware, all we have to do is find O’Connell.”
“And what? Torture him too if he doesn’t fess up? I know he doesn’t have it. I had him under surveillance the whole time. I frisked him after he was shot. What do you know that I don’t?”
“No more than you.”
“Not if you’re suggesting that he’s alive.” This was an interesting conversation, especially after O’Connell himself told me that Dobbin’s cleaners had come and rescued him, which meant Dobbin definitely knew he was still alive.
The question was, how many lies was she going to tell me.
“You know where O’Connell had his real residence. When were you going to share that piece in information?”
Silence, then, “How?”
“I saw you there.”
“But…”
I knew what she was going to say, when was I going to share. When I came back, not intending to find a dead body in the hotel room.
“Had you been in the room when I got back, we were going to have a frank conversation about who you’re working for, but I’ve just had that conversation with Dobbin himself. No doubt he called you right after he dropped me off.
“He’s not happy.”
“Then that’s on him not trusting people. You want to have a good hard look at what your options are when we next meet. I’ll admit I haven’t been doing this very long, but one thing I have learned, is not to trust anyone.
“I suggest we meet up later tonight. Bear in mind that it will be in an open space for obvious reasons, and quite frankly, I’m not sure how Dobbin thinks this collaboration is going to work. I’ll text you the place and time.”
It might have been a little unfair to take my concerns about Dobbin out on her. I’m not sure what I had expected would happen when I took this job on, certainly, the instructors had emphasized that being an agent was very dangerous to our health and that we could, ultimately, trust no one, even those closest to us. Our world by its very nature was one of mistrust, lies, and deceit, that we would eventually not know who we really were and be doing things we never thought we could.
O’Connell was in the same situation, most likely because people were trying to kill him. It was a small detail that stuck in the back of my mind.
If Severin and Maury wanted O’Connell alive, and that definitely was the end result of the surveillance operation, to allow the drop then to corral him, why would they have sanctioned his execution in the alley?
In fact, how could they know he would end up in that alley.
The only conclusion I could come up with, Dobbin had put a tracker on him, one that he didn’t know about, and also had surveillance on O’Connell. It made sense because I was sure there were people in that area that didn’t look like they belonged.
So, a tracker on the USB was being tacked by an unidentified as yet party who no doubt wanted the information themselves, not Severin, and not Dobbin.
I shrugged. I’m sure there would be more questions before the day was out.
It could be said that of all the women one could meet, whether contrived or by sheer luck, what are the odds it would turn out to be the woman who was being paid a very large sum to kill you?
John Pennington is a man who may be lucky in business, but not so lucky in love. He has just broken up with Phillipa Sternhaven, the woman he thought was the one, but relatives and circumstances, and perhaps because she was a ‘princess’, may also have contributed to the end result.
So, what do you do when you are heartbroken?
That is a story that slowly unfolds, from the first meeting with his nemesis on Lake Geneva, all the way to a hotel room in Sorrento, where he learns the shattering truth.
What should have been solace after disappointment turns out to be something else entirely, and from that point, everything goes to hell in a handbasket.
He suddenly realises his so-called friend Sebastian has not exactly told him the truth about a small job he asked him to do, the woman he is falling in love with is not quite who she says she is, and he is caught in the middle of a war between two men who consider people becoming collateral damage as part of their business.
The story paints the characters, cleverly displaying all their flaws and weaknesses. The locations add to the story at times, taking me back down memory lane, especially to Venice, where, in those back streets, I confess it’s not all that hard to get lost.
All in all, a thoroughly entertaining story with, for once, a satisfying end.
The captain seemed calm for a man with a ray gun that could be used on him at any moment.
I cursed the fact we were not allowed to carry weapons, even if they were standard issue revolvers that shot just plain bullets.
But we were on a peaceful mission to discover new life in outer space. We just didn’t expect to find it so soon, within our own solar system. After all we’ve been out to as far as Pluto, and a little beyond for at least ten years without any encounters like this.
If the captain was remaining calm, so would I.
“What sort of help, sir?”
“Identifying the mineral the thieves just took so they can return it. Apparently, these space pirates have spies on Earth who have been there for quite some time, looking at our defence systems.”
That statement begged so many questions I didn’t know where to start. The first, though, was this one of the pirates acting like the space police, for reasons yet unknown?
Had the captain considered this possibility.
“Then they picked a doozie to steal. If they understand the potential of the material…”
Our visitor cut in, “We are well aware of the possibilities of using plutonium in bombs and the damage it can do. We have similar material, but far less accessible.
“How long is a long time?”
OK, I was stuck on this whole invasion thing. It would be naïve of me to think we were the only life forms in space, but actually discovering we were not against assuming so was a little daunting, and a lot to take in.
“Since before your so called second world war. But all of this is irrelevant. Your superior says the decision to join us is meant to be a joint decision between you two.”
“Again, what sort of help can we provide you. We do not have the same speed capability, nor beaming technology, except for moving inanimate objects. And I suspect you know of our weapons capability.”
“You understand the nature of plutonium, and how to transport it safely. I suspect the fools who took it have no understanding of its danger to life forms. When we catch up with them, we’ll need your expertise to render it safe, and then take it back.”
“You know where they are?”
“Where they’re headed, yes. It’s one of the moons of the planet you call Uranus, called Oberon.”
“It’s a bit cold there, and we have been there and found nothing.”
“Did you look under the ice?”
Good point. But, of course, it didn’t answer the fundamental question that just rose to the surface, why was the captain deferring to me when he needed no such help in the decision making process?
I shrugged. “Well, we’ve got nothing better to do.”
It was one of those beautiful Autumn mornings, blue sky with a smattering of clouds, but a sunny day all the same. It’s Sunday, so there is not as much traffic on the road.
Anyone with any sense would be going to their favourite coffee place and settling down to their choice of coffee and perhaps a toaster or muffin to accompany the conversation.
This is what’s happening at the cafe where we go for coffee. At 9:00 in the morning, it is packed. But great coffee is hard to find, and this is apparently great coffee.
It’s that in-between time before it gets windy, cold and wet, with the sort of chill you can feel in your bones, whether it’s the time when you have a barbecue in the mid-afternoon and get home before the cold sets in or take the kids to the park for some healthy exercise.
Today I have to take a drive from one side of suburbia to the other, taking a network of main roads with rather anonymous names such as North and South
We travel through the older suburbs, those with a collection of red or white bricks and timber dating back to the fifties and sixties. They are not, for the most part, in a good state of repair, and rather than looking ramshackle, it’s more like they are slowly decaying.
Fences are rotting or falling over, extensions are like they have been glued on rather than added by an architect, and paint is either fading or missing. For the most part, people are struggling to keep up with the cost of living and are too busy to worry about maintenance.
Some have been bulldozed and replaced, blocks are cleared awaiting new development, and others are being renovated. Anyway, you look at them, they are still worth a great deal of money, being relatively close to the city. But it’s a double-edged sword, worth a lot, but costing more to keep.
It’s a location we could never afford. Because we were not affluent, we were pushed out to the less expensive outer suburbs. This was, of course, 50 years ago, and now those outer suburbs are the new inner suburbs, and people are buying up to 50 km further out in the new estates. When I was young, these suburbs were farms and open land.
It also surprises me that people would want to live on the main road because, with traffic as it is heading into the city, it would be difficult to leave or return by car. At least for these people, public transport is better than in the outer suburbs.
Because it’s Sunday, my trip takes a lot less time, except for those unpredictable traffic lights, some of which I missed and took a while to cycle through the other traffic before it was our time to move. It’s the only disappointment of the modern era, the fact that roads were never made to handle the traffic, and the fact that they now have to bulldoze homes to make way for roads.
Pity they didn’t lay down the foundations of a proper transport system, much like they have in major European cities.
Televison is a great recorder of the past, and most channels, and especially cable tv have great libraries of films that go back more than a hundred years.
And, whilst it’s possible that modern day films and television series can try to recapture the past, the English as an exception being very good at it, often it is impossible to capture it correctly.
But, if you have a film shot in the moment, then you have a visual record of what life, and what was once part of our world before you in all it’s dated glory. The pity of it is that, then, we never appreciated it.
After all, in those particular times, who had the time to figuratively stop and smell the roses. Back then as life was going on, we were all tied up with just trying to get through each day.
Years later, often on reflection, we try to remember the old days, and, maybe, remember some of what it was like, but the chances are that change came far too rapidly, and often too radical, that it erases what we thought we knew existed before.
My grandmothers house is a case in point. In it’s place is a multi lane super highway, and there’s nothing left to remind us, or anyone of it, just some old sepia photographs.
I was reminded of how volatile history really is when watching an old documentary, in black and white, and how the city I grew up in used to look.
Then, even though it seemed large to me then, it was a smaller city, with suburbs that stretched about ten or so miles in every direction, and the outer suburbs were where people moved to get a larger block, and countrified atmosphere.
Now, those outer suburbs are no longer spacious properties, the acreage subdivided and the old owners now much richer for a decision made with profit not being the motivator, and the current suburban sprawl is now out to forty or fifty miles.
The reason for the distance is no longer the thought of open spaces and cleaner air, the reason for moving now is that land further out is cheaper, and can make buying that first house more affordable.
This is where I tip my hat to the writers of historical fiction. I myself am writing a story based in the 1970s, and its difficult to find what is and isn’t time specific.
If only I had a dollar for every time I went to write the character pulling out his or her mobile phone.
What I’ve found is the necessity to research, and this has amounted to finding old films, documentaries of the day, and a more fascinating source of information, the newspapers of the day.
The latter especially has provoked a lot of memories and a lot of stuff I thought I’d forgotten, some of it by choice, but others that were poignant.
Yes, and don’t get me started on the distractions.
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