Mike Bell

Skinner Mike Bell

In January 1970 I began as Head of English at Haslingden County Secondary school. It was a Victorian building on Ryefield Avenue near the Fire Station. A popular TV series at the time was Family at War - which I hated. It ran for almost three years and a total of fifty-two episodes. My family, unfortunately, loved it. Each Tuesday, therefore, I would retire to my study in a huff and write a chapter or two of this novel. Each Wednesday morning I had my favourite third-year class and I would read the next episode to them. Those lessons were among the most rewarding I ever taught in a thirty-eight-year career (thirty-four of them in Haslingden). The class was so responsive, earnestly discussing each chapter; debating whether this character would act the way I said they did. The most valuable part of the lesson, however, was the last bit. Here I received many suggestions for what they wanted to happen next. I used about half of their ideas. About six years ago, I retired to my place in the sun and joined my son in Thailand. I sold my house and car. I gave away most of my building tools and warm clothes and packed my suitcase. I took the original manuscript of the book as it was the most precious thing I had. Since coming to Thailand, I have completed three other books and I am in the middle of two others. They say you always remember your first; well this is it.