The Mermaid Who Makes The Sea

This story for children or those still a child at heart is ‘in review’ at Kindle Direct. I hope to be able to offer it free sometime this coming week.

An excerpt.

Sunday morning arrived with its normal cloudless sky as dad set out up the hill, more in hope than a belief of summoning Jacobi. For the children’s sake I hope you appear today old man, he said quietly to himself.

“I’m not that old. Not measured by the overall age of this world I’m not! I just look old because I’ve had a hard life. Who are you?”

There was a flimsy, tiny shroud of mist sitting on top of dad’s head, with a bearded face poking from beneath who had a finger pointed at him, asking the questions.

“Come on man, answer me! Cat got your tongue has it?”
“I’m Teddy and Tilly’s dad. You met them along with my wife Mary five years ago and changed the weather for us. I must thank you for all your help, it was truly a miracle. My name’s Peter by the way! We have another favour to ask, but first would you like a cup of tea and something to eat? We would be delighted if you could come to our house. The youngsters would be so happy to see you again.”
“Pleased to meet you, dad,” the old man stretched down his right hand which Peter took, shaking it with enthusiasm.
“Thank you for your most kind offer, but I must refuse. I’ve come all the way from Russia to get here flying over Scotland this morning where the birds fed me well. I had all manner of things on the journey brought to me including haggis. Never tried it before. It was, how should I say; different. A little chewy! As far as the cup of tea goes, then I have plenty of my own. By making it all day long, I think I have the hang of it now. Why don’t you go down to the farm, fetch mum, Teddy and Tilly, whilst I lower a ladder making it big enough to carry your weight, then we can discuss what it is you all want? The kettle is boiling inside Nebula as we speak. Five cups will be poured by the time you get back. Sugar?” he asked, as dad disappeared down the hill towards his cheering family nodding his head in reply.
“Three spoonfuls, please. No, wait, I’ll have an extra one to celebrate!”

About Daniel Kemp

At the age of seventy-six, Daniel Kemp has started his second year of studying the science of Psychology at the Open University. He is a member of The Society of Authors and also a bestselling writer. However, in early September 2025, he was diagnosed with cancer. He is now in palliative care at home, being looked after by his ex-wife. When he was writing his novels, he enjoyed writing stories that appealed to those who liked challenging themselves to solve mysteries that were set out before their eyes, but they couldn't. His introduction to the world of espionage and mystery happened at an early age when his father was employed by the War Office in Whitehall, London, at the end of WWII. However, it wasn’t until after his father died that he showed any interest in anything other than himself! On leaving academia he took on many roles in his working life: a London police officer, mini-cab business owner, pub tenant and licensed London taxi driver, but never did he plan to become a writer. Nevertheless, after a road traffic incident left him suffering from PTSD and effectively—out of paid work for four years, he wrote and self-published his first novel —The Desolate Garden. Within three months of publication, that book was under a paid option to become a $30 million film. The option lasted for six years until distribution became an insurmountable problem for the production company. All ten of his novels are now published by Next Chapter Publishing Company which has added an edition titled The Heirs And Descendants Collection, which holds all four books of that series, alongside an edition titled The Lies And Consequences Collection which contains all four volumes of that series. He is the recipient of rave reviews from a prestigious Manhattan publication and described as—the new Graham Green—by a highly placed executive of Waterstones Books, for whom he did a countrywide tour of book signing events. He has also appeared on 'live' television in the UK publicising his first novel. Less

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