19. THE FALL

The group of youths in front of me in the queue at the National Library of Scotland café are placing their order.

“You’ll be total wired”, after that, shrieks one of them. It is a new term to me, but “I catch their drift”.

After checking my emails and undertaking essential social media duties (personal and GANTOB/ Benefaktor business) in the café, and now lightly caffeinated myself, I select another desk for the rest of the day, a changed perspective.

I have set myself a few tasks. Gentle reminders rather than GANTOB’s Kreative Tyranny. One is to plan tomorrow’s blog (which you are reading). Another is to ask about sources of information available in the different libraries to research GANTOB’s father-in-law Curt Finks. GANTOB’s husband Ali (not real name) has shared his father’s actual name (which I have promised not to reveal to you).

And finally, I need contact Ali to check on his health. I remind myself that the original GANTOB (in The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu’s book 2023: A trilogy) stabbed her boyfriend, rolled his body neatly up in a duvet and pushed him off the balcony into the canal below. I worry that fiction might become a reality. He should lock up their knives.

I have mentioned that GANTOB is on manoeuvres. She has come down to Edinburgh unannounced. I have also noticed some Instagram messages that she posted when I was not online, assuming that I would not spot them. And I am sure that I have glimpsed her from the corner of my eye, or detected her presence, fox like, skirting the edges of the terrain, as I go about my daily business.

After writing some words about old TV programmes yesterday I worry that this is all becoming a bit soap-like. It is certainly no sit com. And perhaps after reading about Archie Bunker and his show All in the Family, my thoughts move to The Archers. I am initially soothed by thoughts of that most gentle of soaps, until I recall the controversy of Helen’s attempted murder of Rob.  

It is library closing time, dark outside. I pack up, having not quite achieved my goals, but with some new angles. I take the shortest route home, via Playfair Steps. As I power down, my usual long stride, I hear a familiar voice behind me. I turn, stumble, and tumble, flight after flight.

ON BEHALF OF THE BENEFAKTOR

AS COMPLETED BY GANTOB

12 October 2023

Featured image credit: Caught By The River