Smudger & Co by Thomas Rayner Gomm (detective books to read txt) 📕

Sometime around 1976, our Dad began to act in a most unusual manner. Dad was never one for conformity but even we, his family, were surprised by his actions. In short, Dad began to disappear for long periods of time and would re-appear hours later with a satisfied grin on his face and laughter playing around his lips. We knew where he was, of course, but figuring out what he was doing there was less easy. We had a few hints to help us with our puzzle. We knew Dad was in his bedroom, that no-one should disturb him and that a by-product of whatever he was doing was a painfully slow, rhythmic banging sound that seemed to penetrate our brains and consciences wherever we were in the house - and sometimes in other people's houses as well.

Then Dad announced he was writing (and typing!) a book.

Those who knew him, (but not his immediate nearest and dearest), would have been surprised by this announcement and would possibly have considered the prospect with some cynicism. Dad, you see, was a man who by his own admission considered formal education an intrusion on his lifestyle. Despite the interference of the second world war with his education, Dad easily passed grammar school entrance exams then, being Dad, realised this would result in him being apart from his friends and promptly set about restructuring his education! It is probably fair just to say that Dad started full-time adult employment pretty early in life.

But Dad had an education second to none once he got into the adult world. He was at various times, a projectionist with Gainsborough Film Studios (under the jurisdiction of a young J.Arthur Rank), a milkman, a very capable and commended National serviceman and a host of other things, most of which he probably forgot to tell us about. But mostly, Dad would like to be remembered for being a lorry driver and removal man for a family firm in Watford, Herts. He loved his work, but hated being away from his family for days on end on long-distance jobs. He gained, however, a never-ending supply of comical memories, provided by characters he met as he worked.

It is a shame that no publisher or television company took on the publication or production of Dad's book/screenplay (he wrote it in both formats). It is also a shame that a very similar idea was offered to the public via one of the above media not too long after a particular rejection slip was received. Dad, being Dad, took it with a shrug of resignation. He wasn't a man to get upset about such things.

Dad left us on November 9th 2001 and there are so many ways that he will be forever in our hearts, but we also believe that he deserved the chance for his book to read by the people who inspired it - the general public and the world at large.

It is a huge pleasure to be able to offer Dad's book to the world via this website. Dad would be thrilled to know that anyone, anywhere would be able to read some or all of his 'labour of love'.

' Dad ' is Thomas Rayner Gomm (Ray, to his workmates). All the characters in this work are entirely fictional and any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental. Although somehow, we feel strangely like we know at least one of the characters......................