Alexander Monroe lives in Grasspatch, a town so small, the founders couldn’t even be bothered thinking up a proper name for it. He works at the newsagency/post office, where his duties include ordering newspapers and magazines, printing Lotto tickets, and delivering the mail. One morning he has to deliver a parcel to the mysterious Mr Christian O’Neill, who lives in an oddly-shaped mansion on the outskirts of town. Not much is known about Mr O’Neill, although there is certainly an abundance of rumours -- a faded rock star, a media-shy actor. Alexander can’t wait to find out the answers for himself. Rather than being odd, Christian turns out to be the most interesting person Alexander has ever met. In fact, he asks to come back, and with each consecutive visit, he learns more and more about Christian, and about the power of the mind and the wonders visualisation can bring. But even as Alexander learns how to get what he thinks he wants, he loses Christian. Is it too late to find him again? And if he does, will what they had still be there?

Cool Blue

“Nothing much,” he replied. “Just the usual. A sleep in, a bit of cleaning, some television. ”


Mr Wiggins grunted and shuffled into the back room.


“I’ll see you,” Alexander called out as he carried the box of mail towards the door.


That morning Lester Moore was waiting at his mailbox as usual, but there was nothing but junk mail for him.


“How are you today, Mr Moore?” Alexander asked.


Mr Moore coughed. “Not too well, actually, but thank you all the same for asking.”


“Getting a cold?” asked Alexander, as he readied himself to take off.


“I’m not sure,” Mr Moore replied. “Just a general malaise. Can’t quite put my finger on it.”


Alexander nodded and, despite himself, felt a twinge of sympathy for the elderly man.


“So when are we going to have that coffee?” Mr Moore asked with a weak smile.


Alexander gripped both handlebars of his bicycle and pushed off. “Not sure, Mr Moore. Better go. Mail to deliver.”


Chapter 8