I’ve been working hard on the fifth Richmond’s Rarity story. As you may have figured out from the title, he’s out on the road this time (sort of). This one gets even more personal and delves into Dave Richmond’s family history. Basically, his long lost dad turns up along with a sister he never knew he had. It’s always difficult to judge how much to tease and potentially give away to entice readers in. That’s why blurbs are the hardest part of writing. Anyway, here’s some of what I’ve got so far. It’s unedited, so don’t judge too harshly.
‘What is it about Belinda Carlisle and the sunshine that feels so right? We’re here in beautiful Fairscough for the annual car fest. I say annual; it’s not been on for a couple of years – for reasons that we don’t need to mention here – but now it’s back, and we’re back. That’s right, Pulse Hospital Radio will be here all day, providing the soundtrack and banter against the backdrop of this momentous occasion in Blanham Park. Your probably wondering where anyone’s supposed to be able to park, what with all these classic motors taking up the space. Don’t worry, there are plenty of spaces in the regular car park to the north of the nature trail. And speaking of classic motors, we’ve got all sorts out on display today. There’s an astin martin, shaken not stirred, just over by Bobby’s burger van. We’ve got (LOOK UP SOME CLASSIC CARS). And perhaps most impressive of all, there’s the delorean which has always been a big draw here, although, if you’re planning on “borrowing” it to go back in time, I wouldn’t bother. With all these other cars around, there’s nowhere near enough room to get up to the required ninety miles per hour. Anyway, I’m going to leave you now in the mostly capable hands of my good friend and colleague Dave “I play music that no one’s ever heard of” Richmond. This one, you will know. Ed Sheeran with “Castles on the Hill”. I’ve been Gaz McConnell. Have a great afternoon, everyone.’
‘Subtle,’ James muttered to Dave.
They were both stood just to the side of the temporary stage that had been set up for the occasion, along with Dave’s girlfriend Laura and her brother Justin.
‘It’s alright,’ Dave said, ‘I’m not going to let him get a rise out of me. I’m not even going to play anything that’ll give him an excuse to kick me off the mic.’
They all looked at him with disbelief, and Laura grabbed his hand, and pretended to check his pulse. ‘Are you sure you’re feeling alright, hun?’ she laughed. ‘I mean, he stole your “Back to the Future” gag as well.’ ‘Yeah, but he got it wrong. Don’t worry, I won’t play anything too mainstream. In fact, the first track only just made it into the top forty and_’ He stopped, because Gary – as everyone called him off air – was coming down off the stage. He still had his headphones on because he thought it made him look down with the kids, although he’d never admit that was why he did it.
JOHN D. PAYNE IS WRITING 