The proof copies of A Long Lost Time came through last week, and as I’m currently re-reading the book, I’m wondering how different life could’ve been if Luke’s world had too been struck by coronavirus. It certainly would’ve changed the series a lot…

WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!

Around the time coronavirus would’ve hit the USA, Luke would’ve been at Riverdene, just recovering from his motorcycle accident. As it spread towards San Francisco with him in recovery, it’s very likely Luke would’ve started to get a little concerned about it. Of course, there’d be no news from the UK and possibly the rest of Europe, so there may be less information shared worldwide. However, with travel still able to occur into the USA and the UK from places like China, there’d still be a spread – but less than we have now.

However, over February and March, as Luke spent more time studying at Riverdene, he’d likely hear more news about the spread, and things potentially going into lockdown. That’s something that would naturally panic him. If the country goes into lockdown, then how’s he supposed to escape if he’s found out? If flights got cancelled and movement between states was discouraged, what would he do? Where would he be able to hide? And would he ever be able to get back home?

At the start of March, Luke originally made plans to go to Alabama to see Larry over their spring break. However, with lockdown beginning and universities closing, people would need to be sent back home to their families and potentially not return for the rest of the year. That would mean some very difficult dilemmas for our two British citizens…

Luke would have no where to go. Before Riverdene, he was living alone in Washington DC after Larry left, but gave up that place when he moved to San Francisco. He wouldn’t be able to go New York for fear of being caught and whilst he may have been able to stay with Larry for a little while, it wouldn’t be a long term solution. He’d be homeless. Being on the run whilst in the middle of a pandemic is not an easy feat. Especially with Riverdene asking questions as to where he was going to be…

Also, Vi would naturally be made to go home to the UK. With the private plane available, it would be easy enough for her to be sent back. However, there’s no guarantee she’d be able to return any time soon. While the government wouldn’t be so insistent on sending her back because of what happened with Luke, they’d be more concerned about her spreading the virus, taking it from the UK to the USA. That means Luke may never see her again…

When Luke was faced in the original reality of the possibility of Vi leaving for good, they were already together, but at this stage, they would still be single. Luke wanted her to go on the run with him, but would they really be able to go on the run together? Especially in the midst of a pandemic? At this point, Luke was very unsure of whether he should ask Vi out, and though he was tempted, would he be able to do it in time before she was forced to go home?

However, there is another way it could go, following on the same pattern as An Undercover Dream. At the end of the book, Vi decided to take Luke home with her to the UK. Whilst Luke wouldn’t have wanted to give up Riverdene, if he’d known the seriousness of COVID-19 and how disruptive it could be, he could make the choice of travelling back with Vi. Especially if it meant seeing his parents again. Although, with lockdown in place, would it be safe for him to go back? Especially since they’d be expecting Vi. How would they explain Luke going back with her? They’d likely be put into quarantine as soon as they returned from the USA and surely then someone would discover who he was? It’s an impossible decision…

In reality (or in alternate reality), coronavirus would really mess up Luke’s life. There’s no way he’d not be discovered, whether it be in an airport in the UK or alone on the streets in the USA. He’d then be taken to jail, either in the USA or flown back to the UK to stay there for eternity. Simply put, coronavirus would be his downfall.

So, Luke’s very lucky he isn’t living in these times – and I’m lucky I didn’t have to write his book within these times! However, it does make you think, how you just can’t plan fiction around reality. In fact, the world we’re in right now seems much more intense than any work of fiction. It just goes to show…one little thing, even a virus, can cause a massive, massive impact.

Atlantic Split, At Liberty To Live and An Undercover Dream, the first three books in The Luke Bright Series are available to purchase NOW! The final book of the series A Long Lost Time will be released in 2020!

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N.A.K