A long lane at night

1. CHARACTER PROFILES

As a thank you to all the readers who have followed the journey, voted and commented on the chapters, here's a quick character profile before I post the 6 extra chapters that come before the beginning of Book 2: Jack & Nate. Oh, yes, there's a lot more "A Long Lane at Night" coming your way! Stay tuned!

Allan Altridge

Age: 23 when the book starts

Birthday: 28th February

Sign: Pisces

Tea or coffee: Apple tea, always

Likes: Video games, cooking, Christmas, having the family together

Dislikes: Being lied to, large crowds, alcohol

Favourite colour: Black

"Me Time": He rolls himself in a blanket and pretends to watch reality TV while he's actually listening to Brian playing.

Best trait: His loyalty

Biggest flaw: His inferiority complex, which gives him severe imposter syndrome, although he never talked about it out loud.

Facts: Allan is the happy puppy, even though he's the oldest. It's quite hard to say what he dislikes, because he's super easy to please. He was the first character that came to me fully formed. Perhaps because he's more of the "what you get is what you see" type and I take him at face value. His chapters are always faster to write, but do tend to be shorter. To me, it feels like he cuts straight to the chase, telling things just how they happened.

Brian Leech

Age: 20 when the book starts

Birthday: 1st July

Sign: Cancer

Tea or coffee: Cold apple juice

Likes: Music, organisation, his 'built' family

Dislikes: Talking about himself, fame, Charlie

Favourite colour: Warm earth tones

"Me Time": He likes to sit at the piano, playing mindlessly while he watches the people walking on the street.

Best trait: He is incredibly loving and supportive

Biggest flaw: He bubbles up until he bursts

Facts: He's been neglected by his parents to the point he was completely alone at the age of 18. That caused him to be more of an observer. He sees things faster than Allan, but he tends to let people try and solve their own problems before he steps in to help. Because he was already retired when the book starts, he has a different approach to how people should live their lives. True to himself, Brian didn't naturally come to me, I had to go deep in search for him. Most of the times, especially when it's his chapter, I have to close my eyes and ask 'talk to me, Brian.' Funny enough, it feels like it was Brian's decision to have their story told. The ironic result is that I know about him much more than I know about Allan. But maybe there's simply more to know about him. Sorry, Allan, I guess I'm the one who gave you your inferiority complex. Feel free to blame me next time you go to therapy.

Margaret Altridge, née Thompson, a.k.a, Mama Maggie

Age: 45 when the book starts

Birthday: 15th September

Sign: Virgo

Tea or coffee: black coffee, no sugar

Likes: Church, helping the community, telenovelas

Dislikes: Rudeness, quitters, people meddling in her business

Favourite colour: Purple

"Me Time": That depends on her mood. If she wants to be alone, she binges telenovelas. If she needs company to feel better, she'll throw an afternoon snack party for her church ladies.

Best trait: Her ginourmous heart

Biggest flaw: Her mood swings faster than a professional golfer

Facts: Mama Maggie is the mother that you wish you had, no matter how much you love your own. Although she's not as old as she seems or looks, she does feel from another time. Totally voided of any kind of prejudice, she will respect you for the life you lead, but she will expect the same thing from you and won't have anyone trying to modernise her ways. She becomes the coolest mother-in-law possible, knowing perfectly well her son is an adult and that adults do what adults do. She acts differently when she becomes a grandmother, though. She feels like her job is done and that she can have with her grandkids all the fun she couldn't have with her son, because they're not her responsibility.