Great news! I was called up by Gloria at my doctor’s surgery who asked if I would like to have a vaccination. I said, ‘Yes, please!’ In a hurry. Some of my friends had had theirs already and I was wondering when my turn would come. This time it was to be done not at the Town Hall, but in a disused cinema in Southall which is some distance away. Quite an adventure, made easier by their sending a volunteer in a minibus for me.

Anyway, I arrived and took my place in the procession of over 80s, all with our sticks and walkers. Some had grown-up children looking after them. It was all very orderly. The nurse asked me date of birth and so on and so on. And then she said, ‘Are you pregnant?’ So yes, I laughed out loud. She said, ‘I have to check. Yesterday I asked someone and she said she didn’t know!’ So that’s done now. The second jab will be in 12 weeks’ time.

My ‘Corona Christmas’ story was duly published in the combined Christmas and New Year edition of the Methodist Recorder. They re-titled it as ‘What will Christmas mean to you this year?’ On the whole I prefer shorter titles, but yes, I think this change was for the better. We were worried about this story because I’d had to write it before we knew exactly what regime we’d be under by Christmastime. The rules kept changing as the days went by. Nearer the printing date, we did tweak the story here and I think we got it about right. If anyone would like to read this story and can’t get hold of it by the usual means, then let me know, and I’ll send you a copy free.

The next short story from the archives can be accessed here. It’s called ‘Accident and Emergency’ and no, it’s not about the virus! Kerry has an accident which causes him to be worried about his future, until his friends decide to help.

Meanwhile, I’ve been tackling the pile of paper on my printer. You know the one? Bills to be paid, letters to be answered, notes of books to be ordered, reminders to phone someone . . .? When the pile gets high enough to slip off onto my desk, I know it has to be dealt with. With much grinding of teeth, I get down to it. It takes me all morning, but at the end of that time, I can actually see the top of my printer. You and I both know that tomorrow another piece of paper will have arrived on site, to be joined very soon by others . . . until I have to stop work again to deal with them. But so far, so good.

Work continues on the next Abbot Agency book. People sometimes ask me if I know how a book is going to end, and I say I wouldn’t like to start a book without knowing who dunnit, and why and how . . . and how he or she is brought to justice. This time the character that I most dislike is, unfortunately, not the killer. I don’t want to be mean, but perhaps she’ll get her comeuppance in a different way. Now, how can I manage that?

A blessing on all those who open heavy shop doors to someone walking with difficulty and a stick!

Veronica Heley