It was not easy to write this story: It is long (perhaps too long), and it took two years with never-ending efforts to check everything, check it again and then do it once more. I tried editors, but it did not work out. In the end, I decided to go ahead and write what I thought was MY story. I hope that my readers forgive me my occasional assaults on the beautiful English language - I'm German and was told that it shows.
I thank you for reading the story, and I hope that you liked it. It is rewarding when a reader tells you that he enjoyed it; it is even better when the final rating confirms that it is better than average.
Well, my work is done. Perhaps I can start now to read stories by writers better than I.......
Once more my thanks for your support and patience.