Stranger than FICTION

Kevin encountered an arts icon at a rest home, but it was a sad chapter for the esteemed author

- KEVIN MILNE

I was talking to a cameraman mate who shoots videos about -people living in retirement villages and rest homes. We were agreeing what remarkable people are found in these places and what life stories they can tell. It reminded me of something extraordinary that happened 12 years ago.

I'd been asked if I'd visit a lovely rest home and read to residents from a book I'd just written. When I arrived, there were about 50 in attendance. A particularly stylish woman in her 80s approached me, politely introducing herself. I didn't recognise the name. She told me she, too, had written several books. When I asked what they were called, she couldn't remember. But we had a brief chat.