Stories bringing you the sparkle of nature at Christmas
With the release of – Partridge – we’ve reached the end of our Christmas advent calendar! Of course, we couldn’t have a series of festive short stories that has birds as its central theme without including the Partridge.
Let’s get Michael’s thoughts on the subject, in this excerpt from the story…
‘A partridge in a pear tree, of course,’ she said, laughing. ‘Who came up with that idea anyway? Have you ever seen a partridge in a pear tree, Mickey?’
He shook his head, wondering again why he had never questioned the words of the Christmas song. He’d seen plenty of partridges, but they were ground-loving birds, not keen to fly even when they had to. The thought of them venturing up into a tree, and a pear tree at that, was fanciful at best.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this imaginary journey, mapping the life of Michael Grey and meeting his family and friends.
This has been a fascinating series to write. With each story new characters seem to present themselves, as if they have knocked on my front door to say hello.
I’ve also had the chance to explore some of the history and folklore of the place where I was born and grew up – Hastings in Sussex, and its surroundings.
In Partridge Michael Grey treads many of the paths I trod during my teens and early adult life. Sometimes I’d take the funicular lift up the steep cliff ascent to explore the East and West Hill, which overlook Hastings Old Town, continuing on to Ecclesbourne Glen.
photo credit: “East Hill Cliff Lift, Rock-a-Nore Road, Old Town, Hastings (NHLE Code 1043427) (October 2020) (2)” by Hassocks5489 is marked with CC0 1.0.
And for someone who is passionate about the 1960s, it’s been a pleasure to immerse myself in that decade once again.
If you’d like to read more stories set in the 1960s, visit: www.isabellamuir.com
Meanwhile, you can grab your copy of Partridge – the final story in the series – available on Kindle or in paperback.
A compilation of all ten stories – The Birdsong of Michael Grey – is available to pre-order, on Kindle and in paperback.
However you choose to spend the festive period I wish you a peaceful time and happy reading!
Isabella Muir 
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