A Gentleman Abroad

When Mr Alec Quigley, superannuated insurance clerk, leaves the Bedfordshire bungalow of his indomitable niece Angela and makes his way to the Spanish village that he once read about in a history book, things are unlikely to go smoothly. A man with many foibles, not least his tendency to fantasise, his guardian Angela wants him home before he can get into any of the frequent scrapes that have dogged his – and, of late, her – existence. He is, however, intent on carving out a new life for himself in the Spanish interior and soon enlists the help of Fernando the fireman, Jorge the restaurateur and Salvador the soak to repel the imminent invasion of Angela. When love between himself and Fernando’s older sister rears its hypnotic head, the stage is set for a showdown between Mr Quigley, reality and his niece. This is, according to Mr Quigley, a true story.