I have been writing a sequel to my cricket novel A Tale Of Ten Wickets.  It was supposed to be a slim volume, updating the characters of 15 years ago.

New characters have taken over. They continually write new dialogue and plot for themselves and tell each other their back stories. They are turning the new work into a sprawling, episodic, family novel of Dickensian length and sentimentality. I am publishing it very soon in episodes, Dickens-style, only online rather than in Household Words. I have therefore deleted the dramatic excerpt which previously appeared here, since it will turn up as episode 8 (or so). You can to read it for only £1 (or equivalent in foreign currencies). You can view the cover, by famed ursine illustrator Will Tubby.

The thing is still not quite finished. I was called on to stop Tony Blair becoming President of the EU Council and had to delay the (sickeningly happy) ending.

But opening episodes are already published on www.epublishingonline.co.uk