Please
welcome Hood to my blog today. I got a chance to talk privately to him while
his creator Peter Townsend was busy. Hood is the antagonist of Peter's book, Ghostly Images. Soon after the discussion began, I wondered what I'd gotten myself in to.
Q: How would you describe yourself?
A: I am genuinely regarded as a Robin Hood character
in the eyes of local people.
Q: Of
Whitby?
A: (taps his walking cane sharply on
the floor) No!
East Whitby. Do not ask me to comment on those
people over the swing bridge living in the fine houses of West Whitby.
Q: Why
not?
A: (squints
eyes) They regard the inhabitants of East Whitby to be little better than
vermin. The poor people of East Whitby only have the right to be ignored and
oppressed according to them.
Q:
I’ve heard a rumour that you are a charlatan, thief, fake
psychic medium. Is that true?
A: (sighs)
I am very disappointed in you, madam. You should not believe everything you hear
or read.
Q:
What is the one thing you wish your creator had done differently with you?
A: He should have had the common decency to
treat me as the true hero of the story, not the villain.
Q: If
you could have added something to the story, and your creator had let you, what
would it have been?
A: Some appreciation for my numerous good
deeds would not go amiss.
Q:
What do you admire about yourself?
A: There are far too many things to list.
Q: Can
you give me three examples?
A: My charitable deeds for the poor folk of
East Whitby, my cunning and intelligence, my immortality.
Q: I’m intrigued. Can you tell me more about your claim to immortality?
A: (points his cane towards me) No! You would not understand, madam.
Q: What is your greatest extravagance?
A: I am a modest and
humble man. My only extravagance is my beloved snakes. They are beautiful
creatures, madam. Would you care to handle one? (grins)
Q: I’ll decline your invitation…What is your favourite journey?
A: Is your only interest
our feathered friends? Had I mentioned the stuffed heron in my house you would
have gladly handled it.
Q: You’re wrong. I’m keen on bird watching…What is your favourite
journey?
A: Please enlighten me
about bird watching?
Q: No! I don’t think you would understand, sir …What is your favourite
journey?
A: (yawns) If you insist? I am contented man walking around the alleys
of East Whitby. On a fine day I like nothing better than climbing the 199 Steps
to marvel at the spectacle of Whitby Abbey.
Q:
Which person do you most despise?
A: (squirms)
Chief Constable Len Tanner. He is determined to get a rope around my neck.
Q:
What part of the book was the hardest for you to deal with?
A: This is a ridiculously easy question to
answer. It is that scene in the graveyard scene late at night. I cannot say
anything more about what happened since my creator has sworn me to secrecy. But
mark my words, I will have my revenge.
Q:
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
A: Every poor child in East Whitby has had a
decent pair of shoes thanks to me. It does not trouble my conscience if I have
to steal from the rich in order to fulfil this noble mission.
Q:
What is the quality you most like in people?
A: Utmost loyalty and devotion.
Q: Do
you have any questions you’d like to ask me?
A: Would you kindly come to my humble
dwellings for tea?
Q: You
must realise this is impossible. Don’t you?
A: What possible explanation can you have for
your refusal other than your very poor manners?
Q: I
am a real person living in 2012. You are a fictional character in a novel set
in 1894. Don’t you think that this is a compelling explanation?
A: (face
reddens) You don’t need to get snotty with me! You are a creatively minded
individual and can shape worlds and characters at your whim. Consequently, you
insult me with your feeble excuse, madam. (waves
his cane in agitation, rises to his feet and storms out of the room)
Peter Townsend was born in Sheffield and has a variety of
interests, including history, music and art. One of his current fascinations is
the history of Victorian England. He now lives by the coast in the North East
of England and regularly walks on the local beach or on the cliff top path
towards Whitby—the place where his fourth novel, Ghostly Images, is set.
