Now read an extract from the new novel where Mark seeks a new adventure...

Mark had never thought of retiring. Barristers don’t retire. However, his 64th birthday was fast approaching. and he always had a desire to write. So he and his wife Helen decide to take off to Spain where he sets out to write his great novel. But things don’t go as smoothly as he hopes.

“Missed you”, I said that evening in front of a roaring fire as I landed a kiss on Helen’s cheek and a gin and tonic on her lap.

“Liar”, she said. “I never saw such a happy smile as you waved me off.”

“Nonsense. Up to a point maybe. But a whole week. When was the last time we were apart for a week?” “Five nights.” “Very well. Five nights. Happy New Year darling.”

“Happy New Year to you. How did it go? Did you get to meet our friend from Birmingham at all?”

“Yes and I have found it. It is perfect, Helen. Just what Danny

ordered. A beautiful pueblo blanco nestling in the mountains. Peace and quiet. Far from the madding crowd, you might say. Danny was right. Hundreds of them. I must have driven through them all.” Better not mention darkness and mist and getting lost. “If a fellow couldn’t write a book there ...”. “And the house?” “Lovely. Perfect in every way. You’ll love it. In good nick and a room to write in.” “Air conditioning?” Oh dear. A detail. I forgot to ask. “Of course. You couldn’t survive there without air conditioning.” “How far from the airport?” This was like being in court.

“56 kilometres. Measured it myself. Motorway.” Apart from the mountain bit.

Time to turn the tables. “What about you? How did you get on with the boss?” While I was doing the spadework in Andaluci a, all Helen had to do was ask for the year off.

“Yes and no. She has no problem in principle but she can’t let me go before the summer.”

“That’s fine. I go now. You follow in July.”

“What do you mean follow in July? We’re in this together, aren’t we?”

“Of course we’re in it together. It’s just that I’d like to start as soon as possible and you can’t start till July.” Obvious really.

“Do you think for a moment you’ll last out there on your own for six months?” “What do you mean?” “Sex for one thing.” “Five months. Not going until February.” “Same difference.” “Of course I will. It’s only Spain. Down the road. You might come out for my birthday.” “I’m not jumping on a plane every time you want to see me.” “Maybe it would be a good idea for me to be on my own for a

while. From the writing point of view. Time to think. No distraction.” “If distraction hadn’t existed, you’d have invented it.”

“Maybe you don’t think I’m serious about this? Maybe you don’t think I’m up to it?”

“You’re up to it alright. And I know you’re serious. You’ve been going on about it long enough. But talking about it is one thing.” She had a point. She always had a point.

One of my colleagues called his study the torture chamber. Refused to go in. Eventually gave up the Bar to become a carpenter. Cut the grass, play with the children, Lough Derg, anything but go into that study and close the door. Another colleague has a study and no door. Maybe that’s how Helen saw this year. Another door, another study. More nagging. “This is different”, I said. She looked up.“What is?” she asked.

I had drifted into a court scene where we were making our respective points and this was the conclusion I had offered.

“Nothing. Just thinking. What do you say? February for me, July for you?”

“I’d prefer us to start together. It’s not good to be apart like that.

However, if it’s not possible then so be it. February for you, July for me. And we’ll see about the birthday. There had better be air conditioning.” There better be. Another G and T.