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

Once he’d arrived home, he felt foolish. He felt every bit the high school boy post- tantrum, ashamed and embarrassed. He collapsed onto his bed and, safe in the knowledge he was completely alone, he bawled like an even younger child until he fell asleep.


He woke up later that afternoon feeling slightly numb. He stared at the wall blankly, wondering if he was still in his body. When his senses returned, he felt heavy, as though he had sunk into the mattress and couldn’t get out. Then slowly he began to feel better. His thoughts turned to Adam. He wondered what Adam was thinking. What damage had been done.


He showered and got dressed in the clothes he’d been wearing earlier. If all was forgiven then he’d help with the painting once again. He rode his bicycle to Tania’s Diner.


“Afternoon, Alexander. How’s the painting going?” asked Tania, a large woman in her late forties, with short blonde (or pale orange if he was completely honest) hair.


Chapter 20