The Weave
Description
A Romany witch, a French Count and an English author entangled in a lie told centuries ago…
1598: When Oskar, Comte de Tréville asks the witch Ombrine to save the life of his son, she demands a high price. Oskar must leave his family and his lands and travel with her, as a servant, to Barbaria.
On his return to France five years later Oskar finds he is wanted for the murder of his wife. Unable to prove his innocence he allies himself with Ombrine who persuades him to take the Jouance - a life-prolonging drug.
Three centuries later, Oskar, now wealthy and leisured uncovers the truth about the fate of his family.
2013: Debut author Richard Pease suffers from writer's block. He is also broke and bedevilled by fears of his own inadequacy.
A chance encounter takes Richard to the Nonesuch Club, a writer's retreat in France run by Oskar and Ombrine. As he finds the block to finishing his book lifts he also begins to uncover the secrets within the club. He finds himself trapped in a centuries-old tangled web of deceit which leaves him not only fighting for his career but also for his life.
More details
Person
Sheila Williams slipped into this world on Guy Fawkes Night, under cover of fireworks and bonfires. Outraged to find other nurslings in the nest, she attempted to return to her own world but found the portal closed.
Adopting a 'make the best of it' attitude (which has remained with her to this day) she endured a period of indoctrination to equip her for her place in society. This included learning a language that no-one ever speaks (latinus deadicus) and making complex calculations of no perceivable value (algebraicus complicatus).
Freeing herself as soon as possible from such torture, she embarked on a series of adventures - or to use the vernacular - careers; hospital manager, business consultant, life coach, sheep farmer. She attempted to integrate into society by means first of marriage and then partnered before setting out alone to discover another world, known as France, where she now resides.
Always fascinated by these humans amongst whom she dwells, she has developed an interest in psychology, magic, the supernatural, ghosts, Ghoulies and things that go bump in the night. Dark thoughts and black humour lurk within her.
In her quest to understand this world she pursues knowledge of its history; not of kings and queens but of its ordinary people and how they lived and worked. To this end, she haunts events such as boot fairs, vide-greniers and sales rooms where many ancient artefacts can be uncovered.
Her outlets from this unfathomable world include nature, animals (especially funny videos of), books and writing stories. This latter occupation enables her to create her own worlds, populate them and dispose of the residents as she thinks fit. She finds holding the fate of these poor souls in her hands immensely satisfying.
Should you wish to contact Sheila a message sent to: Sheila@writeonthebeach.co.uk will fly through the ether to her
