in which I find time to think about my own future and take the long view on what I might want when the time comes Its the last care call of the day. This is Zara arriving. Shes from Slovakia. Sh

in which my guru shows me how to live in the now and I offer thanks by way of a bowl of those cheesy puff-things and an ice cold drink as the sun sinks low in the sky Years ago, I became intereste

in which I recount a typical day, look back on those three dates I managed to squeeze in before mums escape from the care home and Maisie the dog pays a visit, along with daughters and ex-wife Ep

in which the past comes alive over a cup of tea only to vanish in the face of present woes and future concerns

in which I launch a daring daylight raid on the care home and, to my surprise, meet little resistance in liberating  both my mother and her rather splendid orchid…  

…in which I lose my father, spend some hours fishing despite the strong scent of deja vu, find my father again and look for a travelling companion for the journey to come…  

in which I finally break the news to my mother, who remains calm throughout, and face the scorn of drunken cavaliers alone…for now… “What are you doing here?” says my mother. She’s smiling, as if relishing my surprise.

in which an ‘outing’ leads to an unlikely bond between adversaries and the reservations of well-intentioned parties rattle my confidence… My sister is cleaning my parents’ bungalow with my ex-wife as enforcer.

in which, I, or rather we, ruminate on love at first sight and Genie’s photo in particular…why did she choose it? Am I reading too much into it?  And what would Genie herself say? Last time, I promised a break from family matters and especially the war...

in which my father comes back to life, only to face a ruthless assassination attempt by his faithless son… We sit either side of her, me on the piano stool, my sister in a resident’s chair that happens to be empty.