He's concentrating on his own internal dialogue, debating whether he should live or die. I know he can hear me, but my voice is just background noise. He plays the violin and speaks five languages?none of which he'll speak to me.įor the last hour I've been asking him questions and telling him stories. According to his oncolo�gist, Malcolm has an exceptional IQ. Even if I stretch out and lean along the gutter, I will still be six feet short of catching him. Already my fingers are numb and I can barely feel my toes through my shoes and socks. The temperature is three degrees Celsius, but the wind chill has chased it below zero. He is wearing pajamas and a woolen hat to cover his baldness. Tall and thin, with dark eyes that tremble when he looks at me, he has skin as white as polished paper. His name is Malcolm and he's seven�teen today. 'This is some view,' I say, glancing to my right at a teenager crouched about ten feet away. On a clear day I could probably see all the way to Hampstead Heath, although I doubt if the air in London ever gets that clear. It's like that scene from /Mary Poppins/ where all the chimney sweeps dance across the rooftops twirling their brooms.įrom up here I can just see the dome of the Royal Albert Hall. ? FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE, /Beyond Good and Evil/įrom the pitched slate roof of the Royal Marsden Hospital, if you look between the chimney pots and TV aerials, you see more chim�ney pots and TV aerials. 'I could not have done that,' says my pride, and remains inexorable. A lesser woman would have slept in the guest room. For her belief ahead of all others, I thank Ursula McKenzie and those who took the gamble with her.įor their hospitality and friendship I thank Elspeth Rees, Jonathan Margolis and Martyn Forrester?three of many friends and family who have answered my questions, listened to my stories and shared the journey.įinally, for her love and support I thank Vivien who had to live with all my characters and my sleepless nights.

To the four women in my life: /Vivien, Alexandra, Charlotte and Isabella/įor his counsel, wisdom and sanity I thank Mark Lucas and all the team at LAW.

Suspect robotham