Today’s visitor doesn’t even have a name in the novel he comes from: Free to be Tegan by Mary Grand. I’m so glad he has one now and delighted that he’s agreed to share such a beautiful letter, written to Tegan by a stranger on a train.
Dear “woman on the train”,
My name is Andy Davies. I am an art teacher and I am the man who sat next to you on the Birmingham train last March 1st. You might remember me as the man who embarrassed you by buying you a cup of coffee!
This letter is a confession. As I mentioned, I am an artist. What you have never known is that as soon as you left the train I drew a picture of you. You see your appearance was so extraordinary, not just your clothes but your whole demeanour. I had to capture you on paper. You were sat stiffly next to me trying not to let our arms touch. Your body was tightly bound; legs squeezed together, arms jammed against your body. One red sore hand was clutching a horrible fake leather handbag and you were gnawing the thumb of the other. Your face was make-up-less, tiny, and lost behind old fashioned tortoiseshell glasses. Most notable was the large plain headscarf which covered most of your head; only a fringe of black hair dared peeked out underneath. You were so fragile and thin. I drew you wearing that extraordinary silver locket I’d seen you take from an envelope. It was very unusual, quite heavy, in the shape of a wheel, decorated with continuous Celtic knots that wrapped all around its circumference. You wore no other jewellery and I was aware that you struggled putting it on but instinctively knew you’d have hated me helping.
It was a good drawing, special even; I had caught you at a very vulnerable moment in your life. Now the thing is, most people love having their picture drawn or painted. However even as I was drawing I felt guilty because I am sure you are not one of those people. In my head I promised that when I got back to the studio I would destroy the picture .
Now for my real confession. You see, I didn’t destroy the picture straight away. I took it back to the studio and worked on it. It was good, really good; everyone who came into the studio seemed to be drawn to it.
Well last week I finished the picture and I was asked to exhibit it. Now this sounds crazy but I sat on my own with your portrait and asked you what I should do. Something terrible happened. You didn’t speak but you just cried. You didn’t tell me how, but I am sure you have been badly abused in some way. I have no right to exploit that.
This letter, with the picture, is about to be burnt. I do hope from the bottom of my heart that one day you heal, find love and then you will be happy for an artist to paint the beautiful, lovely woman you are.
From the embarrassing man on the train, Andy.
Isn’t that beautiful? I reviewed the novel here. I loved reading it and hope you will, too.
About Free to Be Tegan
‘You are dead to us.’
Tegan, aged twenty seven, is cast out of the cult, rejected by her family and the only life she has known. She is vulnerable and naïve but she also has courage and the will to survive. She travels to Wales, to previously unknown relations in the wild Cambrian Mountains.
This is the uplifting story of her journey to find herself and flourish in a world she has been taught to fear and abhor.
Guilt and shadows from her past haunt her in flashbacks, panic attacks and a fear of the dark. However she also finds a world full of colour, love and happiness she has never known before. The wild beauty of the hills, the people she meets and the secrets slowly revealed by the cottage all provide an intriguing backdrop to Tegan’s drama.
The novel is set in spring, a story of hope, new growth, of the discovery of self and the joy of living.
Free to Be Tegan is available on:
About Mary Grand
Mary Grand was born in Cardiff and has retained a deep love for her Welsh roots. She worked as a nursery teacher in London and later taught deaf children in Croydon and Hastings. She now lives with her husband on the beautiful Isle of Wight, where she walks her cocker spaniel Pepper and writes. She has two grown up children.
Free to Be Tegan was her debut novel. It is to be the first of a series of novels set in Wales. The second will be set on the spectacular Gower Peninsula. She has also published a short book of short stories: Catching the Light.
Mary adds: “Do send feedback to me at marygrand90@yahoo.co.uk”
Miriam Drori, Author 
2 replies on “Letters from Elsewhere: Andy Davies”
What a beautiful and inventive way to introduce Tegan. I love your letter, Mary, well done, and thank you for these wonderful posts, Miriam, they give a real insight into the characters. Love it!
I love them, too. The letters have been so different from each other. The wide variety in fiction shines out in these short letters. This letter shows great insight and is very moving.