Interview with Mary O’Connor from The Ends of the Earth
Author Abbie Greaves interviews Mary O’Connor from her new novel The Ends of the Earth, known as Anywhere for You in the USA & Canada. It tells the story of why Mary has been stood outside Ealing Broadway train station every evening for the last seven years, carrying a sign that reads simply: COME HOME JIM. No-one knows who he is or where he has gone…
First of all, Mary, I have to say a huge thank you for agreeing to meet with me today. I know you’ve had a lot on your plate recently and that you’re reluctant—
Mary: [quietly] Private
Exactly, that you value your privacy. I suppose then, perhaps we could start with you explaining a bit about your own background? I notice you have a hint of an accent.
Mary: That will be the Belfast in me. You can take the girl out of Northern Ireland and all that…I’ve been in London for thirteen years now, but my Mam and my brothers are back at home. I don’t get over to see them as much as I would like – they have their own lives – but I talk with Mam on the phone, she keeps me up to date with the goings-on.
It must have been a big leap, moving over here. What made you want to relocate?
Mary: Love. That’s quite the cliché – isn’t it? At any rate, it’s true. I met Jim at work. Well, he didn’t work with me, it wasn’t an office romance or anything like that, but he was attending an event at the hotel where I used to work. We got chatting and then…I never looked back. I didn’t think he ever would either but if there’s one thing these last few weeks have taught me, it’s that there’s no way of knowing someone else inside out, however much you might believe you do.
It’s interesting you say that – I gather that you’re something of the local enigma too…
Mary: [sighs] Depends who you talk to. That was never the intention, with my sign. I never wanted to make this about me. It was always about bringing Jim home. I wanted him to know that I would always be there, waiting for him, hoping he was well in the meantime. Whatever anyone else has read into it, that’s their prerogative. I tell you what though, you’d be surprised how few people even take an interest. All the commuters on their phones or in their own world. That’s why when I met Alice…
Alice?
Mary: I presumed you knew her. Aren’t all you writer types in one another’s pockets?
Ha! Less than you might think. For the record, I don’t know any Alice’s.
Mary: Well, I never caught her surname. Heaton, maybe? Anyway, she’s young. And you’d know it too – big eyes, glossy skin, enthusiasm like you wouldn’t believe. If it had been anyone else to ask me all those questions about my vigil at the station, with the sign, then they probably would have given up with my first burst of short shrift. She’s tenacious is Alice. She takes such an interest in Jim too and it’s been so long since I’ve had the chance to talk about him. I won’t tell a lie – it’s been nice.
That’s great to hear – how did you meet Alice?
Mary: It was a complete coincidence the first time – she bumped into me when I was having a bit of a…of a moment, shall we say. That was at the station and she bought me a drink afterwards, dusted me off as it were. I didn’t expect to see her again but then she turned up at NightLine, this crisis call centre where I volunteer. She’s been helping out there too.
What got you into working for NightLine? It doesn’t sound like you have much spare time on your hands, what with all the hours that you spend at the station.
Mary: It’s bound up with the vigil in its own way – it’s all reaching out, isn’t it? Making sure that people know that they aren’t alone, that there’s someone somewhere who cares…I haven’t always been the best at that. I’ve made plenty of mistakes but I just hope it’s not too late to make amends. If there’s one thing that the last few weeks has shown, it’s that you never know when there might be a bolt from the blue. A lead…
A lead about Jim?
Mary: [nods, then drops her head, gazing at the floor] I don’t want to say too much. I don’t want to jinx anything.
OK, I appreciate that. I understand that, too. Is there anything you might feel comfortable expanding on here though, before we go? I’m sure our readers would love to hear something more about Jim.
Mary: He called. For the first time in seven years, he called.
—
The Ends of the Earth by Abbie Greaves is published by Century on 29 April, £12.99
ABBIE GREAVES studied at Cambridge University before working in a literary agency for a number of years. She was inspired to write her first novel, The Silent Treatment, after reading a newspaper article about a boy in Japan who had never seen his parents speak to one another before. Abbie lives in Brighton. @AbbieGreaves1 IG abbiegreavesauthor
THE ENDS OF THE EARTH
The breathtaking new novel from the author of The Silent Treatment – for fans of Jojo Moyes, Joanna Cannon and Ruth Jones.
‘A remarkable tale of love and loss and finding something different’ KATIE FFORDE
‘Tender and intriguing, this page-turning story of loss and longing will twist your heart’ RACHEL HORE
‘Mary and Jim’s story will draw you in, keep you guessing and stir up every available emotion. A truly enthralling, moving read – I loved it’ HOLLY MILLER
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Mary O’Connor has been keeping a vigil for her first love for the past seven years.
Every evening without fail, Mary arrives at Ealing Broadway station and sets herself up among the commuters. In her hands Mary holds a sign which bears the words: ‘Come Home Jim.’
Call her mad, call her a nuisance, call her a drain on society – Mary isn’t going anywhere.
That is, until an unexpected call turns her world on its head. In spite of all her efforts, Mary can no longer find the strength to hold herself together. She must finally face what happened all those years ago, and answer the question – where on earth is Jim?
BUY HERE
Category: Interviews, On Writing
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