Think Yourself Lucky (32 page)

"I shouldn't keep saying that," David advises him and hurries out of the store. For a moment he wants to turn and dash back in. He's afraid that he didn't sufficiently confront the shopkeeper, and he feels urged to be quick. Surely it's imperative to write whatever he needs to write; that's the only way to deal with the situation. "Home now," he mutters as he climbs into the car, and hopes the words aren't required to keep him together. Surely they can't be, but as he drives home he feels dry-mouthed enough to be running a race.

Jenny was there first, as always. Some of the book was written on the balcony of our accommodation at the delightful Roulla Apartments (where Eleni's hospitality is famously splendid) in Alykes on Zakynthos. It also went to the World Fantasy Convention in Brighton and the Festival of Fantastic Films in Manchester.

My old friend Keith Ravenscroft kept me supplied with good things, not least the fine French Blu-ray of my favourite horror film. "Maybe it's better not to know..."