Henry rang the buzzer. The security guard opened the door and informed the next guard that Henry was on his way to his cell, running the gauntlet of the seven doors he had to cross.
“Thanks John,” Henry said. The guard nodded and let Henry into cell 140–A. The door shut with the usual heavy clunk and Henry sat on his bed. He looked at his watch: 9:47am. Only thirteen minutes to mail time. He hoped for a letter from Nancy. Once the post had been delivered, he would take down a heavy art book sitting sideways on his small bookshelf. From its thick spine he retrieved his pride and joy – a small netsuke in the shape of a dog with pups. It had become a comforting ritual, to read a letter from the outside world whilst fingering this small object, a piece of art that did not belong to prison life. Henry had allowed himself this luxury. He was ever such a good boy otherwise.
Acknowledgements
It takes many people to write and publish a book … for their generosity and support I want to say thank you.
Cressida Downing, my editor, for her no-nonsense approach and relentless enthusiasm for books – mine in particular. Lucy Llewellyn for her expertise in design and for producing a super book cover. Helena Halme, an author in her own rights, for getting me through the finish line.
To the friends who have patiently read, reread and advised: Kate Burton, Bernard McGuigan, Nicola Rabson, Alison Thorne, Susan Rosenberg, Elisabeth Gaunt, Anthea Tinker, Helen Janececk, Prashila Narsing-Chauhan, Adrian Lurie, Geraldine Kelly, Malcolm Fortune, Tim Watts.
Finally, a special thanks to two marvellous art professionals Josephine Breese and Henry Little, and last but not least the artist Tom de Freston for producing the most inspiring rework of the The Raft of The Medusa.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Acknowledgements
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