Prologue

The first thirty years of my life were good, at times pushing very good. I was the first and only child born into a happy, if not wealthy, family. I progressed comfortably enough through school with grades insufficient for university but good enough for me to land a decent job. Living in The Potteries, it was not much of a surprise that at school we learned, well were taught anyway, the skills required by the local factories. Prime amongst them was throwing, which I loved and excelled at. It was this skill as much as my grades that enabled me to find work.

I had a few girlfriends along the way but, despite no lack of trying, limited sexual experience. That swiftly became insignificant as I met Jennifer the first day in full time work and fell in love. It wasn't quite love at first sight, but it was close, maybe third or fourth sight. My good fortune continued as this beautiful and bright woman soon felt the same way about me. We were married when I was just nineteen and for the next eleven years, despite the doubters saying we were married too young, were supremely happy together. I remember my father once saying that couples that don't ever row don't ever talk, well we talked a great deal and rowed only occasionally, though never once serious enough to survive a night together. I recall reading somewhere that a man told his wife every day that he loved her twice as much as yesterday but only half as much as tomorrow. That was very much the way I felt. Fifteen months into our blissful marriage we were blessed with a beautiful daughter, who we christened Kathleen but soon became known as Kate to all around.