I stroke the orange and cream cover. Gently touch the front, run my fingers across the title and name. I check the date, yes 1814 I mutter to myself, Thomas Pole...
Last week a black cloud had settled over my happiness. Each morning when I woke, happiness sat in my shoes ready to be stamped on with each step I took. Too many seizures. Too many falls.
On Sunday over our cereal bowls Mr H announces you need a day out, a change of scenery, I am taking you to Hay on Wye. On our way we spot a red kite soaring above. I watch its forked tail wavering with the wind and my happiness floats out of my shoes. When we leave the car we mutter uselessly only two books each...
In the cinema book shop, always our first stop, I search for books linked to the research I am now undertaking on the Midland Adult School. I run my finger across the index board on the wall; education and religion this way. I cling to the handrail down four rickety wooden steps and pass two rows of wooden, magically musty book shelves; I find education first.
As I smile at shelf after shelf of colourful books my breathing slows and my shoulders sink. I dangle my walking stick from my arm as I move along the rows and rows of books. I stop with a doubled heart beat when I spot the words Adult Education! I lift the first book from the shelf .... It belonged to someone called Colin Woods, all the books I slide from their home bear his hand written name. I wonder what he was studying as I start my purchase pile on the floor...
Mr H with his arms full of books, comes to find me. Anything? he asks
I nod grinning at the pile on the floor; look at the orange and cream one; I cant believe it. It's a copy of Thomas Poles' original paper on the first Adult Schools which he established in Bristol!
