When we began the feature ‘Literally Rerun’ we imagined that it would be generated by readers. So that there would be no percieved favouritism on the part of the editors we suggested that readers nominate their favourite stories. On the one hand that didn’t really work. People were backward at coming forward. The original idea still applies and anyone is welcome to suggest a Rerun. On the other hand it did make us very aware of our lovely Leila. Leila has the unique record of having no rejections among the multitude of stories on the site. We (Hugh, Nik and your’s truly) were aware of her outstanding talent as an author from when we first met her back in the mists of time. Along with that wonderful gift she was fun to interact with and extremely supportive of the site and the writers on it generating Rerun after Rerun. So much so that when we found ourselves struggling we invited her to join us as an editor and she has been tireless in that role.
It doesn’t seem fair though that she is still suggesting the Reruns but because of the earlier agreement among editors there are rarely any of her own works highlighted in this feature.
I am putting that right today. But, she has such a varied and wonderful back catalogue that, quite frankly all I could do was pick a favourite. This piece, as so may others of Leila’s is part of a series and there are pieces in here that truly reduced me to tears, fascinating characters which it is hard to believe she invented and unique locations that are fun to visit.
Look up her pages (she has 3) and treat yourself to reading delight. To start you off I give you
Saint Frances Everlasting by Leila Allison
Let this be the stepping stone to the rest of her work.
Diane.
literally stories 
Thank you Diane
I appreciate seeing St. Fran back in the spotlight. She was based on two extraordinary women who deserved better but never complained too much. Looking back I do wish I cut the length of the opening down a touch–seems like I fell in love with descriptions and maybe for a bit too long. Still, it is always for the best not to be satisfied with something. That’s when the real crap starts coming out.
Thanks again!
Leila
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Dearest Leila
One of the greatest things about your stories is how the LIKEABILITY FACTOR of your characters is so high.
Harold Bloom often wrote and talked about how he loved to read so much because “I can never know enough people.” He specified that the way we get to know people in fiction is both similar, and very different, from the way we get to know people in “real life” (using the quotation marks because, after all, fiction is a part of real life too, which really makes it just another aspect of real life which means it IS “real life,” in its own way).
There have been scientific (sociological and psychological, etc.) studies that have PROVED that reading fiction increases and enhances one’s sense of empathy, sympathy, understanding, etc.
Your characters are extremely RELATABLE. One feels like one has met them before but also that one is meeting someone/s new, too, at the same time.
And then you place these fascinating, realistic, intriguing characters in settings that match the fascination, realism, and intrigue.
You also make, and turn, daily life into an adventure, like the two greatest fiction writers of the 20th cen. (by far), James Joyce and Marcel Proust. And, like them and Hemingway (maybe the third greatest), you never rely on fake, contrived, cheesy, seen-it-before-a-million-times plots.
It is all BEAUTIFUL WORK FROM A BEAUTIFUL PERSON!
Your stories are also teaching stories (like all Literature with a capital L), there are MANY lessons to be learned, IF the reader hangs out with the work, not just reads it once and quickly moves on to something else.
Dale
PS
Your name itself, Irene Leila Allison, is also a beautiful, intriguing mystery! Your mother or whoever named you knew what they were doing!
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Hi Dale
I can never hope to match the level of sincerity you show, but, trust me, every word is dearly appreciated!
Thank you for your wonderful observations. I have always loiked at this one as “rustic” because it is rough hewn, but still an honest job.
Leila
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I’ve a weakness for any stories based in a pub, but this has got to be one of the best. Another Great LS Literally Rerun.
bw
mick
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Hi Mick
I just realized I have never seen a new freshly built tavern. Seen lots of closed ones (depressing). One thing about the place this was based on is a new food bank was built on its spot a few years later. So that’s something, I guess.
Thank you!
Leila
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A beautiful piece. The White Pig is drawn with such specificity that it becomes a character in its own right. The banter between Fran and Beth carries real love and real dread at once, so that by the time Fran gets to the three-and-four-o’clock hours, the humor has already done the work of breaking your heart a little. That closing exchange — “promises, promises” — is pitch perfect.
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Thank you David
It used to be that bars often formed little families. But phone gazing is systematically ending human contact.
Happy Sunday, Leila
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Thank you to Diane for a lovely intro today!
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it was well past time for lovely Leila.
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Hi Leila,
As with all your characters, these folks are so interesting.
There is life and sadness and happiness within them. I could feel that.
When a writer can convey these traits, they have done a helluva job.
It’s great to see this have another day in the sunlight!
All the very best.
Hugh
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Thank you Hugh
Bars are such intersesting places. As I am sure you know, you hear some of the wildest things, so strange that they must be true!
Leila
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A lovely story. I particularly liked the description of the bar. I wouldn’t mind having a brightener in there, even if I did have to flick a penny. I live in a different country now and this story made me very homesick for my local. Thanks
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Thak you for your kind words. Greatly appreciated. I have a rough mouth so I’ve flung many pennies. The Penny mirror was actually at another place called The Crow’s Nest.
Thanks again
Leila
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A real pleasure to read some of you slightly older work, Leila.
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