Category: Uncategorized (Page 3 of 5)

OK, I haven’t been posting recently. ‘Wheatley over a barrel’ storming along and negotiating for ‘Just Wheatley’ to be published are reasons, but not excuses. I shall try to do better…

I take Sundays off – no writing, no admin, and start the day late with a warm croissant and strong coffee. Unfortunately Wheatley has no such luxury. Here he is on a Saturday morning interviewing the manager of Tamplin and Sons, Brewers, while investigating his latest murder:

“Now, sir, if you could just arrange for me to interview the drayman and his assistant who delivered to the Eclipse Public House on Wednesday, I’ll pursue my enquiries elsewhere.”

“Impossible, I’m afraid. Deliveries already started you see. Listen.”

Wheatley listened. “I’m afraid I don’t hear anything,” he said.

“Exactly,” said Mr Boxell, moving to his office window. “No rumbling of horses and carts, no thunder of rolling barrels. No shouts of encouragement. All is loaded, drays have departed and the workers moved on to other tasks.” The manager stood, nodding satisfactorily, looking out of his window. And when Wheatley joined him, he could see that the yard was indeed empty, all activity ceased. 

“Perhaps this evening?” he said.

“Impossible. I only work half-days on Saturday. I’ll be gone way before the delivery drivers return.”

“Tomorrow then?”

“Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy,” thundered Boxell. “Are you a heathen, Detective? Tamplin and Sons believe in six days of labour, and the seventh for spiritual matters. The brewery will be locked up as tight as… well, tight as a barrel, tomorrow.”

“I wish the criminal fraternity shared your piety,” said Wheatley. “I shall be on duty tomorrow.”

(c) Barry Silsby 2022 ‘Wheatley over a barrel’

The 21st of December marks the shortest day of the year – the Winter Solstice for us in the Northern Hemisphere. From now on the days will slowly become lighter and the nights shorter. It is the first day of the twelve days of YULE so go drag in those Yule logs (OR celebrate symbolically with candles or by eating a chocolate log – more practical than finding a log which will burn for 288 hours and a grate that will contain it.) Yule is the Pagan new year which lasts for twelve days until the first of January.

In Brighton we parade to burn the clocks on this day. Unfortunately cancelled for the last two years because of the pandemic, here’s one of my pictures from 2020.

Whether you agree with the action or not, I believe in remembering the sacrifice of those who took part in conflict. For Armistice day 2021 I have written a rather personal poem called ‘Poppy Day’. I shall publish it on my social media on 11th November but you can read it today in “poems4u”.

While I’m still refining the draft of …just Wheatley, my mind has been stretching to his next adventure. Provisionally entitled ‘Wheatley over a Barrel’, it will have its own page as soon as I can get the pieces to fit.

Here it is – final draft. Now just the easy bit of finding a publisher…

100% of course – though is anything ever 100%? Anyway, the first draft of ‘Just WHEATLEY?’ is finished. Am I pleased with it? Well, yes and no. I certainly know my characters better now, historically it feels right, and so far people who have read extracts haven’t guessed the murderer. But after the first draft the real work begins… so more will follow.