There are in fact many people interested in both the history of the mining industry and in the social development of Lancashire towns who have shown interest.
This novel, A Fateful Aberration, has its genesis in my interests in both working class history and the development of social ideas. The cauldron of working life in northern England in the 1880's threw up both ideas and heros; pathos, humour and tragedy.
Our hero, if he can be called such a name, has received a raw deal from life, and learned that ruthlessness and violence can be deployed to his advantage.
His girlfriend, (one of many, but the one who has stuck), is Ida, a frothy concoction of cheap scent, low cleavage and wild and colourful language. She is cheeky and can be spiteful, as can be gathered from the extract below of Ida's exploits in the pub ---
"Hey", the drink might have deadened Ida's sharper instincts, but she knew an insult when she heard one, "who the bloody 'ell d'you think you are then eh, eh".
"Well I never ever seen anythin' luv, live an' let live, that's what I says", Henry could see where this might lead, and did'nt like it either.
"You bloody little liar, you bloody little liar", this was the effervescent Ida starting to fizz.
"Who you callin' a liar?", the woman, much to Henry's chagrin, was'nt going to let Ida's wild accusations go unchallenged.
"'Im, that's who, 'im", and her accusing finger pointed straight at Henry.
"What you talkin' about?", Henry gurgled.
" Why, them eyes' o'yours 'ave never been off my bust since I come in 'ere", Ida, who was an expert on masculine eye movements, delivered the verdict.
"What", spluttered the unfortunate Henry.
"You 'eard, you bloody well an' 'eard".
But one thing is certain, she is deeply and irrevocably committed to Noakes, through all the vagaries of his eventful and violent existence.
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A Fateful Aberration by Les Jones available on Kindle £0.99
A frothy concoction of cheap scent, low cleavage and wild and colourful language, a savage intellect, a thoughtful mind schooled in the thoughts of Mary Wollstonecraft. It's a must read.
