It Happened on Scrabble Sunday

by Vas, Mahita;

  Just before she passed away, Julie had asked Uday to write out the lyrics for each of their three children. She had specified the use of a fountain pen and paper from her writing desk—specifically from a box of heavy, textured, cream coloured paper from a well-known London stationer. Milled paper was a luxury Julie had allowed herself ever since her days of writing to her mother while she was at Edinburgh University. “Because Mum deserves it,” she had said, when he first stood in line with her at the post office, waiting to stamp the envelope. It took Uday at least twenty attempts over several days to produce three perfect sheets—without smudges and spelling errors—of lyrics to the song, I Hope You Dance.

  As he steeped himself in memories of Julie and Lavinia, while listening to an eclectic range of music in the stillness of his airconditioned living room, Uday felt a gentle breeze swish past. He touched his chest as a celestial shroud descended upon him. Uday smiled as he wiped away a tear, knowing he would never be alone.

  Acknowledgements

  Several people helped bring this book to fruition and I am grateful to every one of them.

  Many thanks to my publisher and the team at Marshall Cavendish for their encouragement and collaboration throughout the process, from manuscript submission to completion. I am especially grateful to my editor, She-reen Wong, for her patience.

  To Tara Dhar Hasnain, editor and friend, I am extremely grateful for your dedication and professionalism. Along with your sharp eye and magic touch, you made a significant difference to the manuscript.

  To one of my editors, Daren King, thank you for your help with structure in the early incarnations of my manuscript. Your suggestions helped to take a rough draft and turn it into a novel.

  To my friends, Sheila Wyatt and Nicola Yeo, thank you for being part of this development since the beginning, when I had barely finished Chapter 1. I was unsure about the idea but was determined to pursue it after our conversation.

  Most of all, to my family – my husband and twin daughters. Thank you for reading my last draft and for always giving me the space and time to write.

  About the Author

  After nearly thirty years of working in advertising and the hospitality industry in Singapore, Mahita wrote her first book, Praying To The Goddess Of Mercy: A Memoir of Mood Swings, published in 2012. She now spends her time on mental health advocacy and pursuing personal interests including reading and writing. Her first novel, Rain Tree, was published in 2016. She is married and has twin daughters in their mid-twenties.

  It Happened On Scrabble Sunday is her second novel.