Paperback: A Song for You and Me
Reviews:
Pearl Harris is a highly-qualified writer, editor, proofreader and translator.
Jan 14, 2016
I have finished reading the final novel
in the Malcolm Craig series and it held my interest even more than the three
earlier books, as
the final novel eventually reaches a conclusion to the saga.
Like the Christmas
Special which concluded the long-running Downton Abbey, the end of
Fiona Compton's novel reaches a satisfactory resolution.The finale of
the Malcolm Craig series is merely implied, rather than described in graphic detail, and one is left to imagine what happens to Malcolm, Kate, and Marina in
the years that follow.
Somehow I doubt whether the end of the series is
the way the tale ended in reality, but perhaps that is why Fiona Compton
chose to present it as a work of fiction rather than fact.
Jean Collen
A random sample from the book:
Marina
I was rather surprised when Steve Baxter phoned to ask me if I would
be a guest on his radio programme in a few day’s time. Considering how devoted
he was to Helen and how studiously he had avoided me since our affair and our
ill-fated holiday together the year before, I was amazed that Helen had allowed
him to ask me to do such an interview.
“Do you think that is a good
idea, considering our history, Steve?” I asked.
“I know it might be rather
uncomfortable for us, Marina, but this isn’t my idea. My boss was quite
insistent about it and I could hardly refuse without causing unpleasantness.
Please, Marina – we’re both professionals. I’m sure we can handle this without
any discomfort, can’t we? You might bring in one of Malcolm’s recordings to
play on the programme. There wouldn’t be any doubt that you are both committed
to your marriage, just as I am committed to my marriage with Helen. After all,
the programme only lasts for fifteen minutes.”
“I had better ask Malcolm first, Steve. He might not approve. I’ll
phone you tonight after I’ve spoken to him.”
As I expected, Malcolm didn’t care one way or the other whether I
did the interview or not.
“It’s entirely up to you,
Marina,” he said coldly. “I still think it’s a shame that you didn’t run off
with Steve Baxter when you had the chance. We might all be feeling much happier
by now if you had.”
“By all, I suppose you are
including Katie,” I replied. “Why do you have to be so mean to me all the time,
Malcolm?”
“I’m not being mean, just stating the exact truth. Go and do the
interview with him. You don’t need my permission to do that or any other damned
thing you please.”
“So you wouldn’t care if I decided to have an affair with someone
else?” I asked.
“Why should I? Have you someone else in mind?”
“You might be surprised to hear that I do have someone in mind,
someone who treats me far better than you do.”
“Well go ahead and enjoy yourself. See if I care.”
He marched out of the room leaving me feeling quite miserable, but
angry at the same time. I picked up the telephone. It was Helen who answered in
obsequious tones, “The Baxter residence,” she simpered.
“Is Steve there?” I asked without any preliminary greeting.
“Who shall I say is calling?” she asked – as though she didn’t know!
“Marina Dunbar,” I replied coldly. “I would have thought you might
have recognised my voice, Helen.”
She didn’t answer but I heard her calling Steve in thin tones.
“Phone for you, darling...”
“Malcolm has agreed that I
can do the interview,” I told him. “What time do you want me at the studios?”
Surprisingly the interview went better than I expected it to. We
chatted about this and that and ended the interview with Malcolm’s recording of
One Day When We were Young. “Thank
you, darling,” I said in sugary tones when it finished. I was surprised at how
I could put on such an act when I was feeling entirely fed up with my
unsatisfactory life.
The only person who was cheering me up these days was our singing
pupil, Brandon Black, who thought the world of me and was willing to do
anything possible to please me. In a way he reminded me of Harry, although
there was no question of going to bed with him at this stage. I was twelve years
older than him, and although I knew he thought the world of me for the moment
it was better to be good friends without the complications a sexual
relationship usually brings.
I returned to the studio immediately after the broadcast. Malcolm
was having a rest before the next pupil arrived. There was a faint smell of
perfume in the air over-riding the usual smell of his stale cigarette tobacco.
“Did you listen to my broadcast?” I asked.
“Yes! Very well done,” he said absently.
Who was in the studio while I was away?” I asked sharply.
“Nobody. What makes you think there was someone here? I had a
sandwich and then I had a bit of a rest and listened to your interview.”
I couldn’t be bothered to argue with him. The next pupil was due any
moment and I didn’t want to upset myself by asking if Kate had been in to see
him because she knew I would be at the radio studios and had taken any
opportunity to be with him. I let it go, but my suspicions remained.
The book is published as a paperback and an epub. Read more about it at: Fiona's Store - Fiction with a Musical Theme.
The book is published as a paperback and an epub. Read more about it at: Fiona's Store - Fiction with a Musical Theme.
Fiona Compton
28 November 2015
