Shopping should be a joy. Discuss.

If I were still a size 10, if I didn’t feel the cold, if my knees were photogenic and I could wear black . . . then perhaps shopping would be a delight. I used to enjoy it. Sigh . . . Anyway, a dear friend offered to take me for a spree in a big shopping complex. We promised ourselves a treat or two. We worked out how much we could spend and what we needed to buy and set off with High Hopes.

The department stores are still there, all bright and cheerful, crammed full of Christmas goodies and denim clothing. We turned our faces away from the tinsel and sparkle which had nothing to do with the Nativity. We spurned the chilly-looking light-weight clothes and looked for an A-line navy blue or grey skirt in a warm material, size er-hum. And did not see such a thing anywhere. Advertisements had informed us that such practical clothing was available, but only on-line. Not to be tried on. Not available. Sigh. I bought a pair of gloves, we had a pleasant enough snack and returned home, exhausted.

How are older people going to shop in future? On-line? Er, no. At the Tea Club for oldies that I attend, only three people have computers and maybe five have smartphones. Are we the new invisible?

           An important event occurs in November . . .

Well, two important events. My daughter has a birthday and the paperback of FALSE GOLD comes out. This is the third in the Bea Abbot series in which she gets involved with a nameless rough sleeper who turns out to have a family of which he knew nothing . . . and finds himself with an inheritance . . . and a whole heap of trouble. He is growing up fast, but meeting a lot of problems. Rumours abound of hidden treasure and matters are not helped by a centuries-old feud with the nearest town – and police force.

I have delivered the fourth story – called FALSE RELATION – which will complete this series and am waiting for the copy edits to arrive. A draft of the cover has already been sent to me and it’s quite something. The new covers from Severn House are much lighter. I’ll send you a copy when it is finally approved.

                       The next short story . . .

I’m running out of short stories to send you. I have two in course of preparation but they’re not ready yet, so I’m sending you the first few pages of FALSE ALARM, which is an early one from the Bea Abbot series, still available now from Joffe. Enjoy!

A blessing on all those who still think of Christmas in terms of the Nativity and what it means to all of us.  

Veronica Heley