Dru, Steinbeck and the Book of Deer

Dear Juliet I hope you're coping. I also hope you're enjoying my blogs in the "wee small hours", as the old Scots phrase goes. I couldn't get into church to light a candle for you today but I'll have another go tomorrow. I believe they're open on Sundays. In the meantime, even in these circumstances, it's nice writing to you again. A bit like that time you were stranded in London with the riots going on. I sometimes think we nearly broke the Internet. I knew it was a very difficult time for you, but I can't deny that I liked talking with you more than I usually did. Bit of an inversion: I was safe and sound in Roberton, you were in a London which seemed like it was blowing up... Well, tonight I had too many mochas and too much chocolate. I caught a bit of The Glenn Miller Story with James Stewart and turned into the usual puddle of goo when I saw Frances Langford singing in front of a B-17. My father liked Glenn Miller. He was completely tone deaf...

Dear Juliet I had plenty to write about today, but all the subjects would send you straight into a tailspin... So I'm left with the stark and simple truth. You're really not perfect and I really do love you. I'm not going to leave you to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. You won't be abandoned. I loved getting you birthday and Christmas presents. You were worth every moment of all the trips I took to see you. I'm really looking forward to lighting a candle for you in Southwark Cathedral, getting photographs of the Globe and the Golden Hinde for you, and bringing down the British government on the side. Also, you're cute. Love, James

Dear Juliet You're on my mind, to put it mildly. Glad you've read a couple of my earlier blogs. Have a hug! 🤗 Just remember you're my dear Miss Landau, always and forever. Love, James P.S. My email address remains unchanged.

Dear Juliet I'm sorry, and I think I can only say that the best thing to do now is have a good cry. I think I once advised that the best thing is always to let the emotion out and not to bottle it up. That still stands. In the circumstances, I'm going to revive something I was originally going to let lie fallow. Namely, here are my phone numbers if you really need to talk: This is my smartphone number: 07572 889840 And from America: Either, it seems: +44 7572 889840 (holding the 0 on a mobile keypad apparently produces +) Or, from a landline: 011 44 7572 889840 My own landline number is: 01952 460825 And from America: 011 44 1952 460825 It's getting towards 11.00 pm here, so I don't think I'll be on Facebook much longer. However, I am a good listener. Anthony Head was a great actor and a good man. The world is the lesser for his loss. I wish I'd known him. I also said it jokingly earlier, but now I'm serious. I think you need to take a break and breathe eas...

Dear Juliet I'm very sorry about Anthony. I'm just back at the flat between calls. I'll do a longer post later, but please be reassured that I'll be here if you need to talk or to read whatever inadequate words I can find. Love James

Dear Juliet I was going to try not to talk about Point Lobos again today, but my subconscious just bluntly said it thought you needed three months off, twelve hours of sleep a night, and a lot of calm and quiet in a cloistered environment. Apart from the partridges, I have to admit I think it's on the right track. Anyway, I know that's probably not achievable in the real world but I thought I'd better mention it. I hope you're okay today? As I must also have mentioned, I've now got the tickets for the Globe Theatre and the Golden Hinde. And for an epic finale I'm aiming to destroy the British government this time round. So after the book launch 15th-16th, I'm back in London for SoA Southwark and the Globe 18th-19th. These are the exact dates when the Makerfield by-election takes place. Andy Burnham, the man who would be king (or at least PM) is standing there and, if he wins, will most likely force a leadership contest. The polls open on the 18th, the result...