Gertie grows up

Following Dominique Allen’s popular Salvaged Summer trilogy, a new series of books continue along Gertie’s Path.

Two local sisters with some old-fashioned determination, inspired by the “ancient stones and wonky walls of Stamford, and the church bells and birdsong that rise above, the peaceful mornings and evening paths that steer our days and the albums and archives that inspire us,” have launched a new series of books.

Kesriel and Dominique, who are happier to be known as “Kessie” and “Dommy”, have already published the first three books of the new Gertie’s Path series, which you can now find on local bookshelves… and with a fourth instalment on the way, readers can expect plenty more escapades beckoning for the lads at the heart of these stories, which are set during WWII.

“After The Salvaged Summer trilogy there were still so many more stories to tell and we couldn’t leave Gertie stranded.”

Dommy recognised her D.I.D. (Dissociative Identity Disorder) was going to make the storytelling unique, and with Kessie’s guidance – together – they have embraced the mission: “to let the others get to know Gertie better; there’s more sense than they realise in that scrawny scruff.”

As always, they are guided by the motto: ‘Granny would approve’. 

There is nothing gritty or challenging about these books, but still just enough lop-sided quirkiness to balance out the country wisdoms along the way… and that satchel of Gertie’s was bound to get him into mischief sooner or later!

The Lincolnshire village errand-boy has done a lot of growing up since those ‘Salvaged Summer’ days.

The fourth book in the new series, Tunisian Turnaround, is due to be published this summer.

A hint of things to come in The Tunisian Turnaround
Jack had his maps and aspirations, Mike his rifle and the memory of those Maltese airfields and Gertie had his satchel with that battered old biscuit tin, silver bangles on his wrist… and an abiding respect for Aunt Luci.

A long dusty slog and a sandstorm and some desert wisdom to learn before the camel race and the sniper. A nifty bit of negotiating was needed to resolve the skirmish between the rubble and the wreckage.

Thankfully, though, the shepherds had a keen sense of humour and, with some tall-talking and fast-riding, the two tag-alongs were ready for more. They’d be late getting to the rendezvous, but for good reason!

“Think like a poacher, not a hunter,” Gertie offered and with that in mind they retrieved ‘Battered Bess’ and got her shuffling again, ready to begin the Battle of Slipper Top Hill!

Bess was the bait, the goats were decoy and Gertie needed that ledge to signal those RAF pilots… “You’ve come a long way from those gentle lanes of home, haven’t you lad?”  [ahhh, dear readers… haven’t we all!]

The Tunisian Turnaround, published in paperback (£8.99 + £3.99P&P) will be available from the Lincolnshire Life online shop, Walkers Bookshop Stamford, Ink and Ember Book Café in Stamford, Colemans Bookshop in Oundle, Bakes & Books in Navenby, Lindum Books of Lincoln or directly from the “scrawny author” at dommyallen63@hotmail.co.uk

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