Living Under a Cloud: Austin Macauley

A small factory on Roa Island provided work for many of the islanders, and the island's future prosperity depended on its success. Originally set up as a private venture by Capt RN (Rtd) William Isherwood, the factory was sold to Ferranti on his retirement. The future looked settled until the workforce was taken by surprise when the business was sold to Black, Black & Blackmore's, a company that no one had ever heard of.

Work was not the only thing changing on the island. Eight single young women, some of whom worked in the factory, were all in pursuit of romance and their story presents an interesting alternative to industrial matters. Nevertheless, work is never far away.

A Workington firm linked to the factory on Roa serves to introduce another northern community, many of whom struggle to navigate through life without creating drama involving both love and lust. Life, however, goes on, and in one way or another, they survive.

When Black, Black & Blackemore's took over the factory on Roa, it sent a representative to visit the place, which is what the workforce expected. What was not expected was the astonishing way he arrived, and it started a year of mystery and disbelief.

The mysterious world of Black, Black & Blackmore gradually unravelled as time went by, which should have been reassuring. There is a saying that 'seeing is believing', but is it always true?