Walking Alone
The Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrim route crossing northern Spain, lures characters from Lancashire who are trying to heal the remnants of a broken relationship.
He thought the worst was over. Last year when things were falling apart he had managed to bring them back together. How could he have got it so wrong?
‘You can’t forgive me? David pleaded. ‘Even start to forgive me?’
Helen shook her head. ‘Each time I try, I see you and her together, however brief it was, and I feel so betrayed.’
‘Can I give you some reasons why it happened, help you understand?’
‘Reasons?’ Her tone was sharp. ‘You mean excuses. I know your reasons – I was stressed at work, distant with you, I couldn’t appreciate that you were struggling with retirement, oh, and wouldn’t have sex with you. I know all that, you’ve told me. But it isn’t an excuse.’
A Short Extract
The story continues
Walking Alone
As heart-breaking as it is heart-warming, Walking Alone follows in the steps of its
predecessor, and is a well-rounded novel providing a thoroughly enjoyable read. With fully
developed characters, convincing dialogue, and a host of beautiful settings, it’s a novel
which seeks to highlight the beauty of the present, the value of the little things, the
kindness of strangers, and the optimism and sense of perspective that can be gained when
life is stripped back to the basics.
With each step David and Helen take on their journey, and
each obstacle the couple overcome, they begin to advance beyond the turbulent times
within their relationship, and their love is secured with an undeniable strength.
Catherine Finch draws upon her first-hand experiences of walking the Camino de Santiago
to deliver a story which is bound to stick with readers
Lauren Molyneux Ribble Valley Live 2020
Catherine Finch
During my 30 years in teaching, I loved to write stories, plays and musicals for
children. My audience was enthusiastic and unfailingly appreciative. Unfortunately, as a headteacher, I was also required to write long, tedious documents for school inspectors. I don’t remember quite the same enthusiasm or thanks when I produced these works of fiction.
Although reluctant to leave the village school where I was headteacher for 11 years, I was delighted to find space in my life for some real writing.
I share my time between Lancashire and South West France, taking inspiration from both of these beautiful areas. Long walks give me the space to reflect, to absorb a new setting and to chat with my characters – yes, they talk to me and sometimes dispute what I have in store for them!
I am pleased to have been shortlisted and placed in a number of competitions, including Flash 500, TSS and the Bath Short Story Award 2017.