The Obald

An 840km drive across France seeking the answer to a question

Oops. Accidentally uploaded a version where I'd muted the narration track. Blame the fact that I'm on holiday. In this episode, Ronnie tries to tell a convincing story about the missing tapes.

Author and Journalist Lucy Baker arrives to interview Ronnie for her book. He shares the story of his marriage, and reveals what he has been up to for the past 30 years.

Part Two begins. It's 2003, and Ronnie Collins is living a quiet life on an island off the West Coast of France. The tapes of his "lost album" have been missing for thirty years but it seems as if his band has not been forgotten by everyone…

End of Part 1. As The Obald reaches its halfway point, Ronnie gets a message that will change the course of his life. There will now be a short break before Part 2 begins.

Ronnie skips work. The local radio station reports some shocking news. Ronnie follows the two Mels to London.

In the aftermath of his bike accident, Ronnie wakes up battered and bruised. Colleagues at work immediately jump to the wrong conclusion. Forgetting his signal arrangement with Melody, he causes alarm. His judgement is all over the place, and the series missteps leads to a dramatic interruption at the evening’s recording session.

After a productive weekend with the band, Ronnie keeps his head down when the office starts to buzz. At lunch, Melody discusses an exit strategy. The thought so distracts Ronnie that his bike journey home ends in disaster.

Ronnie executes operation Fish in Desk. This definitely won't cause problems down the line. Toffo calls another staff meeting. On their train to London that evening, Mel confidentially reveals to Ronnie a side to her character that blindsides him.

Ronnie meets Melody for lunch and she questions his musical tastes. He offers to do her a mixtape, which causes her a double-take. Later, at the recording session, he arranges to see another film with Melanie and finds his head spinning with regard to the two Mels.

Ronnie covers his tracks in the office. Cooper enumerates the many steps taken towards armageddon. Mel reveals her deep anxiety about the other boyfriend. When Ronnie gets home, he realises someone has been in his flat…

On the day his band is to start recording their album, Ronnie is called upstairs to speak to Surveillance. How much trouble is he in? Melody contacts Ronnie and they agree a signal. A revised ebook of The Obald is available: UK: https://amzn.eu/d/cTLAv8c US: https://a.co/d/4Sn77uP Other territories are available. The paperback edition has also been updated and revised. UK store: https://amzn.eu/d/8r1iGlQ US store: https://a.co/d/i2PeIem

Cooper has news about NATO exercises in Europe, and events in Afghanistan. Ronnie contemplates sabotage. Over tea at Debenhams, Mel reveals her conundrum regarding her other boyfriend. 

Sunday. Ronnie takes a risk and meets up with mystery girl Melody to talk to her about her father, who is under surveillance. Is he only now picking a side? You'll find my blog at robmcminn.uk If you’re impatient to read ahead, I’ve published a revised ebook of The Obald: UK: https://amzn.eu/d/cTLAv8c US: https://a.co/d/4Sn77uP Other territories are available. I have also revised and updated the paperback edition. UK store: https://amzn.eu/d/8r1iGlQ ; US store: https://a.co/d/i2PeIem

Fireworks night. Ronnie and Mel travel to London to see a film. But when she suddenly jumps off the tube train at Leicester Square, Ronnie loses her, and things begin to seem unreal. If you’re impatient to read ahead, I’ve published a revised ebook of The Obald: UK: https://amzn.eu/d/cTLAv8c US: https://a.co/d/4Sn77uP Other territories are available. You'll find my blog at robmcminn.uk

Another short episode, the yin to last week's yang. It's Friday evening, and Ronnie’s band play a successful gig to a packed house at The Crown. The “two Mels” are both in attendance… You'll find my blog at robmcminn.uk and you can contact me at mcmrbt @ icloud . com

Ronnie tries to triangulate the information being collected by his employers on protestors, letter writers and petition signatories, none of whom appear to have broken any laws. Dave Cooper shares his philosophy on youthful idealism. A meeting is called at work to flag up a supposed terrorist cookbook in circulation. With his mind mostly occupied by tonight’s gig at the Crown, Ronnie bumps into someone. You'll find my blog at robmcminn.uk and you can contact me at mcmrbt @ icloud . com

Ronnie wakes with a bad hangover but nevertheless drags himself into work. He sets out to find his mystery girl on the system, and in spite of his qualms finds himself warming to Mel. This is a shorter episode – but them's the way the chapters fall. This one is just over 10 minutes, but the next might be (definitely is) over half an hour. You'll find my blog at robmcminn.uk and you can contact me at mcmrbt @ icloud . com

Determined to break things off with Mel – who after all does have another boyfriend – Ronnie realises just how far out of his depth he is. Meanwhile, his friend Dave Cooper seems to have an inside track on secret intelligence that might lead to widespread panic if more widely known. And who is that girl who works across the road?

Ronnie Smith, 21, is in a band but still has to work. His day job is mainly admin, in some kind of civil service department, and pricks his conscience somewhat because it involves collecting data on people with perfectly legal political beliefs. It's 1983, his love life is complicated, and there's something in the air…