01/08/2022
Published synopsis and sample chapter of "21 Days In Swansea" by Andy Botterill in the Rowse Literary Agency section of the Tenby Publishers website http://tenbypublishers.com/rowsela51.htm
a leisurely paced reflective novel as a third-age romance emerges from blackcloth reminisces of youth's halcyon days set in an evolving modern world of diversity and multi-culturalism ... He’d been there a while, before a middle-aged lady, perhaps just a few years younger than he was himself, let her head emerge from what he presumed to be a back office, to address him. She peered over her glasses, to take him in first, before speaking. Perhaps she was assessing whether he was a serious customer, intent on a purchase, or had just made a temporary escape from the inclement weather, as was indeed the case. Edward noticed a Golden Retriever, or some similar breed of dog, lay contentedly asleep at her feet, in a basket by her desk. Edward was no expert on dogs. He’d never been particularly taken by the beasts, but he knew an animal of that colour was a Retriever or perhaps a Labrador. It was more likely the latter, he realised, on closer inspection.
"Can I help you?" the bookseller enquired, politely. She had a gentle, courteous tone to her voice, as if her question was genuinely meant, and she wasn’t just trying to get rid of him.
"I’m only browsing, to be honest with you," Edward admitted. He felt a little embarrassed by the admission, but there was no point lying. He didn’t want to raise her hopes of a sale, though he wouldn’t hesitate to make a purchase, if he spotted anything there that he wanted. He was always on the look out for a good book.
"Well, if there is anything particular that you’re looking for, just ask," she said. "I might have it somewhere."
"I’m always after vintage editions of anything by JG Ballard or Kurt Vonnegut," Edward said. "I also collect 1970s Fontana editions of the thriller writer, Eric Ambler."
"Is there anything on the shelves?" the bookseller asked.
"I haven’t seen anything yet," Edward replied, as he continued to browse. He was still looking. There was much to go through. He’d only really scratched the surface.
"The thing is, not everything I have is out. There are loads I haven’t had time to properly go through yet and price up," the bookseller explained.
Edward had noticed that. There were mountains of books piled up on the floor, that hadn’t yet found their allotted spaces on the shelves. All kinds of gems could be hidden there, among the many which clearly weren’t gems, at least not in Edward’s eyes.
"The problem is I’m here on my own," the bookseller continued. "I could do with a bit of help really, but it’s not so easy to find, not the right kind of help anyway. Sometimes I can’t even open, if I have an appointment or have to go out for some reason. I have to close for a bit just to take the dog for a walk."
"That’s all right. I can see it’s difficult," Edward sympathised, getting a sense of the lady’s predicament.
"I tell you what, if you can come back in a day or two, I’ll see what I can dig out for you. How does that sound?" she suggested.
"That would be perfect, but you needn’t go to all that bother for me," Edward said.
"It’s really no bother," the bookseller said. "That’s what I’m here for."
"Well, it really is most generous of you," Edward enthused. "I hope I’m not just wasting your time."
"You won’t be. I have to do it anyway," she said.
"Well, thank you again," Edward repeated, as he began to make his way towards the door.
"By the way what’s your name, love? Just in case I find anything," the bookseller called out, as Edward prepared to leave.
"Edward," he said.
"OK Edward, I’m Jill and I’ll see you on Friday, if that works for you? I should have a chance to go through a few more of the new books by then," she said.
SynopsisEdward Chapman is a recently retired London financier, living near Oxford. He takes an unplanned holiday to South Wales, after discovering his younger, glamorous wife is having an affair with a work colleague. For Edward it is both a means of escape and an opportunity to spend time in the ci...
