Happy New Year !


Out of the Frying Pan
Christmas and New Year were spent carousing with everyone in the Turks Head. I was disturbed at the turn of events in Bristol, Steve, I knew, was not a strong person. He seemed to be convinced of Mary's "powers" and completely under her spell. Still, as long as I didn't have to deal with her, I was relatively happy. My thoughts turned to Los Angeles. Things had changed there. Ged and Jane now lived in San Diego, so I couldn't go and stay with them. I decided I would just arrive in Los Angeles, search out Rona, a friend of Chris and his family, and take it from there. I landed once more in Los Angeles, on January 6th 1994.
The Holloway Motel
Rona was in her second hand clothing store, towards the east end of the famed Melrose Avenue. She was an extremely large lady. Telling her of my plans to work whilst writing my book, she advised me to stay near her house in West Hollywood. She recommended the Holloway Motel at the very top of Santa Monica Boulevard. That evening after dining with her, I made my way to the motel. The receptionist, a guy, took my money and gave me a key to a room. He offered me some magazines, which I accepted, not knowing what I was getting. Then he said, "My you are handsome". The penny dropped ! "Thanks," I retorted, "but definitely not gay!" "Shame", he replied, as I walked away. I could feel his eyes watching my every step. My skin began to crawl as I made my way to my room. That night, whilst listening to the ecstatic screams of guys in lust, I decided to see if Eli and Blythe could put me up for a little while. Friday dawned a bright sunny day. Eli and Blythe were away for the weekend. Friday and Saturday night were almost sleepless, as the noisy gay lovers cavorted through each night. I hired a car on Sunday morning and drove across the San Fernando Valley to the Goodnight Inn in Calabasas. At least I would sleep. Eli and Blythe came home that evening. By first light on Monday, I drove out to their house in Agoura Hills.
The House That Eli Built.
It had been two and a half years since I'd seen them, they had a daughter now, aged two. Typically, they told me I could stay as long as I wished. Their house is magnificent, nestling in a valley with a creek running round the perimeter. Eli had created a work of art on a mound of rock overlooking the valley. I was at home immediately. Eli had built the place himself, since I'd last been to the area. Four bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, a large kitchen, dayroom and pool room, together with a spacious office, made for sumptuous accommodation.
Relaxing Times
I needed time to relax and here was the perfect place. Every day I would breakfast, before making my way to the balcony at the front of the house. There, I would plug in my little notebook computer and begin to write. I was having trouble knowing where to begin the story, so constantly saved and began again. I'd find myself frustrated and gaze out across the valley to Ladyface mountain opposite. Eagles and rooks wheeled across the sky regularly. I'd watch them in fascination. The rooks would gang up on an eagle, chasing it away from their nests. Harassing it until it sought sanctuary from their constant harrying. Money was becoming a problem. I calculated I could only last until the end of February at best. There was an air of helplessness about me. The Californian economy was not good. Jobs were very hard to find, partly because of the economy and partly, because there were teams of Latinos standing on street corners every morning, offering their services for ten dollars a day. I was a worried man.
Some Visitors
Eli and Blythe had visitors. I'd been there a week or so when they arrived from Minnesota. They were looking for property in the area. Blythe, who works in the Construction industry obtaining building permits, had found some land she thought may be ideal for them. Off they went for the day looking at land, whilst I stayed and looked after their home and animals. There was Buck, a German Short haired Pointer, two cats, four horses and a chicken to be fed. That evening, we all dined together, laughing and joking, before retiring at about eleven.
Unexpected Arrival
At precisely four thirty the next morning, I suddenly awoke. There was a dull roar in my ears, which grew louder very quickly. Within a few seconds, the whole house began to shake violently. For a full minute, I clung to the bed as it bounced. I heard things crashing to the floor amidst the roar. Structural timber creaked in protest at the sudden shock. Abruptly, as fast as it had begun, it stopped. I lay awake in the dark, realising it had been an earthquake. In truth, I didn't think much of it, the last one I'd experienced had its epicentre off the coast of nearby Malibu. Voices began babbling outside my door. Eli's voiceb rose above them. "Are you ok Nick?" "Yep, I'm fine" I replied, turned over and went back to sleep. Three hours later more rumblings woke me, though nothing like the first. I got up to see what the new day had brought. The San Fernando Valley earthquake had announced itself with devastating force.