One of the most vivid characters in Diana's Story was Deric Longden's mother, with her eccentric way with words and personal brand of logic. She is the central figure in this sequel, which takes the author's story forward to the time after his first wife's death and also back to his childhood. Mrs Longden is found making her devastating way through Marks and Spencer, conversing with her two cats - almost as unorthodox as she is - offering her highly original comments on the fresh developments in Deric's life and finally enduring the stroke that put a new twist on her unique wordplay and led eventually to her death. Sad though the ending is, the author's blend of pathos and humour again offers more laughter than tears.