Last year when I was in hospital after paralysing muscle spasms in my back, some of the ward staff learnt that I was a writer and asked for a story. Well, it took ages to write, and even more ages to get edited, amended, etc. It’s only a novella, but it was tailored for them. Stockport, where it’s set, is our home town, and the heroine works at the hospital where I was cared for.
I’ve put it on Amazon as a Kindle book but unfortunately Amazon don’t let you list it as free. I used the lowest price possible, but obviously didn’t want my carers to have to pay for their story so I’ve also put it here, on my website, where anyone can download and read it.
The story is set in my local world but Alex, the nurse, finds a magical world beyond a local well. She also finds a murder mystery and a slow burn romance.
Wells, in this part of the country, are usually springs, and have been regarded as special and perhaps sacred, for centuries. There’s a custom of decorating them with pictures made of flower petals, and the cover illustration shows an actual well dressing at the well Alex visits.
Jay's World 
I’m sorry to hear you’ve had such problematic back issues. I hope you feel better now.
And I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your daughter’s belovèd border collie. My sister’s family lost their dog a few years back and we all still miss him, so I know what a wrench it is.
What a lovely idea to pen a story for the hospital staff who looked after you. And I like the title pun on the beautifully dressed well.
I’m not usually the biggest fan of fantasy fiction as a genre (I’m more a sci-fi person), although there are exceptions, but I have downloaded the pdf and will read the story because it has such a resonant backstory.
Fiorenza_a
Thanks for reading and commenting! I’m just hoping some of the hospital staff do likewise! And yes, it will take time to get over the loss of Cloudy.
What a wonderful addition to your tales of magic and other worlds existing alongside our own! Given the reason for this story, it was a particularly lovely idea to have the main character a nurse (and in the same hospital, no less).
The little details, both in Alex’s mundane day-to-day life and also the area in which she lives, root everything so deeply and easily that it makes Well Beyond all the more believable. I must say I’m intrigued by the map Jasper breaks out, and the mention of dragons, unicorns and kelpies.
Both Wooster and Drat made me laugh – especially Drat’s no-nonsense attitude to welcoming Alex home that first evening! The contrast with Wooster’s earnest, eager greeting was hilarious. And, dare I say, very true to life. And then Drat’s actions later – ack! Can’t say more in case of spoilers. But I loved the way things were resolved at a critical moment, and Drat’s motives even beyond protecting Alex.
I love the way you entwined Alex’s exploration of this new world with a murder investigation – it was a brilliant way to get her speaking to lots of different characters and discovering more of how the world works.
Of course this wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t say how absolutely lovely Jasper is, and how happy the ending made me! 😊
I really do hope there will be more visits to the Beyond world – it’s so richly detailed, with so many possibilities already, and I can’t wait to explore further…
What lovely detailed feedback! Thank you so much! I shall bear your comments in mind if I decide to revisit the world beyond the wells!