THE BLURB
'The Soldier's Home' is the stunning sequel to the bestselling debut, 'The Single Soldier', by renowned actor and writer George Costigan.
The war is over and his home was re-built ... but a home is just a set of empty rooms without people and love. After surviving the war under German occupation, can a community now rekindle their lives, and rediscover their reasons for surviving?
As the soldier waits for the return of his love, the world keeps moving, threatening to leave his hopes and dreams behind.
History, secrets and painful truths collide in his troubled soul until peace arrives finally from a very unexpected source ...
BOOK EXCERPT
1952.
One volet hung loose
He'd lost one of its metal pins.It would bang in a wind.
But his son's chimney was in place.
I'll read and sleep and I'll go to Maurs
He settled his back into the wall.
ONE
It's over then.
I've seen the pictures of the bombs.So many died and we three have lived.
Everyone here is very proud.Of the bombs.I have six students - they come here or I go to their houses.Well,their rooms in a house.Apartments,they're called.Only the rich,like you,own a actual house.I pay a baby - sitter to sit here with your son.She's nice,`neat` they say here.Susie.Jacques likes her.I have three French students,and,of course,I'm learning English.And so is he.But we talk French and he'll talk with you one day.I tell him about you and where he comes from and who he comes from and the house and you haven't told me anything.
Tell me about Arbel.And Jerome.Did they live?Are they home?Sara? Zoe? Tell me about the life I left. But most of all you.
I make just enough money.The rent isn't much and trolleys are cheap. Jacques,you've never seen a trolley! I'll send you a picture.If I told you all about the shops - you would not believe it were possible.Some days I still don't.
People tell me the winters are cold and we'll need heating.You've got all that beech,so you'll be good.I am so grateful every day for our lives here and our life together.We're a million miles apart and when I look at him you are here with me.
What are you`taking down`?
You owe me two letters
We send our love,
You're family.
TWO
DEAR JACQUES
You are the worst letter writer in the world.
What do you mean `Arbel came`? You make it sound like a trek! And you don't tell me even what sex their baby is! I want to know.
But Arbel came home! I thought so often of Ardelle and her misery and what a relief for them and what a present life has rewarded them with. I've written to them.
Did Jerome live? And how's Sara? And him over the lane - misery - what was him name?
Tell me everything! You write in riddles,my man.
Love from the New World.
They call France and Europe the New World.
I think it's all one world.They don't.
Simone.
THREE
DEAR MR MYSTERIOUS
Jacques - get a piece of paper - now! - and write `dear Simone - Ardelle`s baby is called _ _ _ _.` do it! have you? you haven't,I can tell.I know you.Have you now? Shall I not write again until I get your reply?
Why are your letters post - marked Maurs? I wrote to La Poste and that angry postman (can't remember his name either) asking for an address for Sara - since I don't get information from you.No letters from Ardelle but she'll be busy - I know!
I think teething is a flaw in nature's plan.I can't understand why our child should be in quite so much pain.
A tear fell and he moved it away and smudged her ink.He panicked.Held the paper over the fire till it dried.He knew the letter by heart,but still...
But all pain passes,doesn't it?
He moved the paper sharply to miss the next tear.
Write!
With love,all of it
Simone
FOUR
DEAR JACQUES
Janatou?
What are you doing?
What have you done?
I got a printed card from La Poste with this address.
There's nothing there.
Tell me,immediately - everything.
Oh my God - it's winter.
Jacques - you'll freeze.Where are you?
What did you take down?
Live,my Jacques.I can't write through worried tears.
Simone.
P.S. I can't believe I'm adding this - it's nearly December now - and with the time the post takes....
Jacques
Happy Christmas.
FIVE
DEAR JACQUES
Why?
SIX
A FAVOURITE
Jacques,I believe in Hope,too.And now I believe in promises.I never made any because I couldn't.I make this one.we will see our house,in your paradise.Build it,Brother man - build it.I want to see it,Seeing is believing.
Simone.
AUTHOR BIO
George Costigan has been a motor-parts storeman, a trainee accountant, another trainee accountant (both failed) a steel-worker, an insurance clerk, a wood-cutter, a bookseller, a record salesman, a book-keeper for a wedding-dress business - and then someone asked him to be in a play. College followed and a career that started in children's theatre, then took in Butlins Repetory Theatre in Filey and eventually landed him at the Liverpool Everyman theatre. It was here he met some hugely influential people - Chris Bond, Alan Bleasedale, Alan Dossor and above all, Julia North. His acting career has included working with Sally Wainwright, Willy Russell, Alan Clarke and Clint Eastwood. He has directed Daniel Day-Lewis and Pete Postlethwaite, and his writing for the stage includes several Liverpool Everyman pub shows and 'Trust Byron', for which he was nominated for Best Actor at the 1990 Edinburgh Festival. He and Julia North have three sons and one grandson.
PUBLICATION DATE : 17th May 2018
PUBLISHER : Urbane publication limited
GENRE : Romance
PURCHASE HERE....
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Soldiers-Home-George-Costigan-ebook/dp/B07CJYHXYM/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1527539673&sr=1-1&keywords=soldier%27s+home
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