Left for Dead
Page 25
The pier has long gone - I am privileged to report that I once went to a party there in 1983, well before the fire which brought about its eventual demise.
I’ve managed to immortalise locations like The Ship Hotel in Overton, Julian’s Pantry and The Old Galleon restaurant which are - alas - all long gone, but enjoyed in the story as they were by myself and my wife all those years ago,
For the most observant readers, you’ll have noticed that DCI Kate Summers makes an appearance in this book. She also features in my Don’t Tell Meg trilogy. This is her home patch in my fictional world of psychological thrillers. Nigel Davies, the local newspaper reporter, will also make future appearances in my trilogy of books about Morecambe Bay. As a former BBC journalist, I’m familiar with the reporter’s world, and it’s one I’m happy to inhabit in my stories.
There are some observations made in this book which may seem a little far-fetched, but they are true about my time working on the holiday camp. For instance, my wife and I arrived as a couple, so we got one of the very few double beds that were available. They were in such short supply that I was actually offered money once to exchange it for two single beds. Also, the concept of chalet rash was revealed in that camp, which is what love bites were referred to back then. I’m pretty certain I’d never even seen a love bite until I went to Pontins - I was only 19 years old and we were much more naïve in those days - but they genuinely were worn like a badge of honour among the non-student staff. Working there was certainly an excellent education for life beyond our academic world.
The bars are for real too, and one of the things I liked best about the camp. The big ship structure was where the holiday-makers gathered in their hundreds at night. It was a great place to hang out, with the Bluecoats hosting entertainments (my Purple Coats are fictional!) and the resident house band Kaos entertaining the crowds every night.
I still have my 45 rpm vinyl single of the song that was played to encourage the children to bed at nine o’clock every night. It was called The Crocodile Song and was an inspired idea, aimed at getting the kids all lined up in a dancing march, then leading them out of the door where the parents were waiting to take them to bed. I’ve added that to my picture gallery, by the way. However far-fetched this stuff might seem, it was all for real.
I hope you enjoyed frequenting this seaside world as much as I did writing about it. It’s been a wonderful trip down memory lane for me, and I’ve enjoyed creating the stories around Abi, Charlotte, Will and our favourite bad guy, Bruce Craven. There’s more to come too, as the trilogy continues. We’re not quite done with Bruce Craven yet as you’ll find out in Circle of Lies and Truth Be Told.
I’d love to hear from you if you enjoyed the book. The best way to stay in touch is to subscribe to receive my email updates at https://www.subscribepage.com/paul-teague, that way you’ll never miss out on a new release or promotional offer.
In the meantime, thanks for much for reading Left for Dead and if you’re ever anywhere near Morecambe, call in if you can. Lots of money has been spent on regenerating the resort and it’s looking great these days.
All the best!
Paul Teague
Also by Paul J. Teague
Don’t Tell Meg Trilogy
Book 1 - Don’t Tell Meg - read it here
Book 2 - The Murder Place - read it here
Book 3 - The Forgotten Children - read it here
Standalone Thrillers
Dead of Night - read it here
One Last Chance - read it here
No More Secrets - read it here
So Many Lies - read it here
Two Years After - read it here
Friends Who Lie - read it here
Paul J.Teague & Adam Nicholls
Now You See Her - read it here
Morecambe Bay Trilogy
Book 1 - Left For Dead - read it here
Book 2 - Circle of Lies - read it here
Book 3 - Truth Be Told - read it here
About the Author
Hi, I'm Paul Teague, the author of the Don't Tell Meg trilogy as well as several other standalone psychological thrillers such as One Last Chance, Dead of Night and No More Secrets.
I'm a former broadcaster and journalist with the BBC, but I have also worked as a primary school teacher, a disc jockey, a shopkeeper, a waiter and a sales rep.
I've read thrillers all my life, starting with Enid Blyton's Famous Five series as a child, then graduating to James Hadley Chase, Harlan Coben, Linwood Barclay and Mark Edwards.
If you love those authors then you’ll like my thrillers too.
Let’s get connected!
https://paulteague.co.uk
paul@paulteague.com
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Author, except where permitted by law.
Copyright © 2019 Paul Teague writing as Paul J. Teague
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