With Dick Francis
in Grand Cayman
When I discovered to my amazement that an old friend on mine was a close friend of Dick Francis, I begged for an introduction. My friends, painter Peter Williams and his wife, Vicky, told me that to meet Dick I’d have to go to Grand Cayman Island in the western Caribbean. They could have said “Siberia” and I would have gone. So I booked the flights immediately.
My son Andrew and I visited Dick at his ocean-front home on seven-mile beach on Grand Cayman Island. I must tell you that he is the consummate gentleman. We talked for a couple of hours about his books, his life, his family and favorite characters.
I asked him if he would autograph the copies of his books that I had brought along with me. He quickly complied and then got up and from his office produced his own copy of the books I had illustrated. Then he asked if I, as illustrator, would autograph one for him. What can I say? It doesn’t get any better than this.
He gave us a quick tour of his place, showed us his many pictures and trophies and set off the next day for England and a visit with his old friend... the Queen of England. What a wonderful man.