Written by Gethyn Jones
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The blurb:
Fatal EquationAged just 16, Ali Kurmi was exiled to Portsmouth by his despicable, sweaty, arrogant, bully-of-a-rich businessman father, to protect the family name. Now in his thirties, Ali’s forced to work as an unofficial bailiff for his father’s property company. The only things keeping him going are his songwriting and DJing.
Laura O'Brien, a former journalist from Dublin is a looker and defies her 52 years – made even more remarkable by her tragic back story. Fate strikes again as her renowned husband of just four years, racehorse breeder Frank O’Brien, collapses and dies of a brain aneurysm. It leaves her broken-hearted, but very rich. Determined to avoid returning to the bottle, and egged on by her sponsor, the enigmatic Alice Kingston, Laura leaves Tipperary to start afresh in Hampshire.
This is the story of Ali and Laura – how they got together – and how they navigate their way through a seemingly endless number of cruel and unlikely twists and turns – that threaten their relationship – and their lives.
A short extract from Fatal Equation
We're about to witness the moment that Laura O'Brien and Ali Kurmi meet. Neither is on the lookout for romance. It's a glorious sunny day and it's party time in affluent, rural Hampshire.
Max and Christine Walsh were married in 1982 and to celebrate their milestone ruby wedding anniversary they've decided to go the whole hog and throw one of the biggest parties seen in Alresford for many a year.
Status in these parts tends to be based on the number of watercress beds you have – rather than Range Rovers.
So here we are on party day. It's a lavish display of opulence – all stage-managed by Finn O'Donnell and his team. Finn has been joined today by new recruit, Laura, who has been briefed by him to look after the entertainers and their various entourages.
Her presence hasn't gone unnoticed. Wherever she moves, heads turn and follow her. She carries a strong air of confidence, whilst maintaining an element of vulnerability. It makes the combination irresistible.
Finn is a happy man when things run smoothly and today is looking good. He and the Walshes decided on Thursday, to run with Plan A for the party. Plan B was to be put in place in the event of rain. Today, the gods are smiling down and it's non-stop sunshine, and it's a very pleasant outlook for the party, which gets under way at 4 o'clock.
Guests will be welcomed with champagne; and for those feeling adventurous, there's Karting, Bubble Walking on Water, Archery and a Micro Fun Fair for the youngsters and oldsters. Circus performers will be walking around mingling with the guests, too.
After a lavish dinner inside the main marquee, the music will begin – there's a disco with a Top DJ and a live band to keep the show rocking and rolling until midnight. Even the Walshes think that's probably late enough to be disturbing the residents of Alresford and beyond.
Ali follows the directions in the text message and parks his van on the grass behind the main marquee in the fenced-off area, where all the service vans are parked. There's a mini marquee too, which has been set aside for the band and Ali. A further large one, obviously for the catering, is to the rear and connected to the main marquee. Outside, a young man in chef's whites with bright copper coloured hair, shaved at the sides, slouches against a tent prop as he squeezes the filter of his cigarette. He inhales and slowly blows out a cloud of smoke as he turns to take in and wonder at the grounds and house.
The side of the main house is visible, and it would appear to be neo-Georgian in style. From where Ali's standing it looks as though it's been built with exceptionally good taste; no tack here, he thinks.
He looks back at his van, glad that he doesn't have the whole rig to carry in, and is looking forward to the gig immensely.
The great thing about corporate work is that you seldom get any aggro. The worst that can happen, usually, is dealing with a few posh drunks. Anyway, he looks at his phone again. He needs to find a woman called Laura O'Brien.
Laura steps out of a door to the side of the main house, where Finn O'Donnell and his team have their modest quarters. The sun is high in the sky and the grounds look incredible. She's just had a text from the DJ to say that he's arrived, and she's off to meet him in the service car park.
Ali waits patiently by his van and does a 180-degree pan, looking out for the woman he's just texted. Towards the house he sees someone moving and heading in his direction.
It's definitely a lady. My God, it's certainly a lady. She's dressed in tight, light blue jeans and a white, red-trimmed jacket, with short sleeves. She's coming towards him and the closer she gets, the harder he stares. This lady is gliding across the grass and Ali is transfixed by the sheer presence and elegance of her movement.
He can see that she's considerably older than him, but is completely bowled over by her looming beauty.
Wow – what an amazing figure! She is advancing, beaming with the biggest and loveliest smile Ali has seen in his whole life. And, beautiful penetrating eyes. Another wow.
This woman must have a very happy partner.
'Ali, is it?' says Laura, still smiling and holding out her hand.
Ali nervously wipes his right hand behind his back and offers it to Laura, immediately realising the naffness.
'Pleased to meet you,' he bumbles, in awe.
Still smiling, Laura says, 'Follow me and I'll take you to Finn. You two know each other quite well I understand?'
'Yes, we've worked together before.'
'Oh that's good. Have you eaten by the way?'
'Yes thanks,' says Ali, who is actually starving, having skipped breakfast.
'Let's go this way. Here's my card, with my number if you need it and I'm not around. Just give me a shout.'
Ali clutches his man-bag and follows Laura, admiring her from behind.
What the hell is happening here? This woman is gor-geous.
| Author Bio – Gethyn Jones |
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 Gethyn spent 30 years as a producer, presenter and journalist – primarily in BBC local radio and latterly in commercial radio and community TV. He's an accomplished songwriter and producer, having been part of JUGG Music which provided music for a variety of BBC and ITV programmes, back in the mists of time. Revitalised and inspired by new audio technology – after a long period of dormant creativity, in 2018 Gethyn hatched a plan to combine his diverse skills. He started work on the trilogy, Fatal Equation – a music album, TV drama proposal and novel. “As a songwriter and producer I was disillusioned with the way the music industry had changed - effectively closing its doors on emerging talent. “Despite this uninspiring backdrop I continued to write songs. After a couple of years I'd collected quite a few decent tracks, professionally recorded with great musicians, many of them friends - and fully mastered, ready to unleash. “But what was the point? Without the backing of a major record label I had a better chance of winning the Euromillions jackpot. “At this point in 2018, an actor friend (Ian Bartholomew*) recognised a cohesion running through the songs I'd produced. After listening patiently to my moans about the futility of releasing them, he suggested creating a unique context for them; building them into a story that could possibly form the basis of a TV drama. A book, even. “What a radical, brilliant idea! It was never a lifelong dream to write and publish a novel. But here I am, with pride, brandishing my first - Fatal Equation. “What happened over the next eighteen months was extraordinary. The whole project became something of an obsession – and a complete delight. To boot, the process of writing was, to my surprise, arousing deep emotional rumblings, similar to my songwriting. “So ... a simple means to an end (to get my music heard) developed into a journey that was unplanned but turned into one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. So much so, that completing the trilogy of books is my number one desire. Number two, is already done and due to be published - and the third and final volume is already in the planning stages. “I hope you enjoy reading about Ali and Laura and their beautiful relationship that is always being tested to the nth degree ... and also their wonderful, diverse group of friends who help to make this romantic, edgy saga come alive.” *“Ian Bartholomew is a British actor who spent two years in the Coronation Street cast, as abuser Geoff Metcalfe.” |
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