She first began to monitor the statues quo the day she realized she was getting older. Not really old, but catching a glimpse of her reflection in a shop window or mirror in Marks and Spencer, she honestly didn't always recognize the lady staring back.
When going to the theatre, especially a matinee, she saw a mass of grey haired ladies, enjoying themselves sharing their pleasure with other lady friends. Going to restaurants revealed the same majority. Ladies having reached a 'certain' age formed single sex friendships and chatted away and laughed together. Was it all 'girlie' talk? Was it all grandbaby boasting? No! it was not! This is where Joan needed to be very skilled with her ear-wigging activities. She would lean closer to her observation group to discover sometimes the conversation was small and fluffy but often the conversation was about world events or expressing their feelings about tender circumstances.
This gave Joan an idea for a book. She could see a gap in the market. Where were all the men and why did not lone elderly men enjoy each others company? An exciting research time lay ahead for Joan.
By chatting to elderly men at bus stops, out for a stroll or in super markets she realized how strange this single life had become to them. Most she suspected had married someone who cared for them as their Mother had before leaving their comfortable parent's home to make a nest with the woman they loved. It can be a very lonely uncomfortable life without the partner of a lifetime.
What should the book contain? Joan made a list with headings. Practical Jobs. She learned that whilst some men could be very capable of jobs around the house that involved carpentry, plumbing, painting and decorating using a washing machine with all the various options was a mystery. Cooking, other than opening a tin and heating the contents up or popping a prepared frozen meal in the microwave, filled many men with dread.
What about social life? How do you meet other folk in the same boat? And God forbid, what if he met a woman who seemed friendly and interesting, what could he say to her?
Once Joan started the list it became longer and longer, putting herself into a lone retired man's shoes. She wrote an outline describing what the book would contain and why there was a need for it. She collated the topics in what she thought to be a logical order.
A trip to the local library helped her to find the publishers that may be interested in publishing a book on this subject. This was difficult but Joan decided to write to every one that seemed remotely connected with publishing books on social and practical difficulties for the elderly.
Weeks went by, letters were delivered with the 'we are sorry' theme. Joan gave up.
It was 1040 on a Tuesday, Joan had the moment stamped on her memory. The telephone rang. A woman's voice ascertained Joan's name then said she was an editor for a well known 'Made easy' series publishing company. Her organization were interested in Joan's ideas. Could she visit the publishing house in London to formulate plans?
Oh joy! Oh excitement! After replacing the telephone on its base Joan's heart beat fast with elation.
Joan could picture her name on a book on a shelf in W. H. Smith. Would she be paid an advance fee she wondered? Would she become a tax exile on Jersey? Doubtful.
Joan knew the book had a very limited market. If her book was accepted for publication, helping lonely gentlemen achieve a happier life and a bottle of very good wine bought from the royalties would be enough.