Just before I published An Undercover Dream I made Luke Bright carry out the Proust Test twice – once post Atlantic Split and post At Liberty To Live. If you haven’t heard about it before, it’s a questionnaire that French writer Michael Proust created it to delve into the deepest parts of an individual’s personality. I’m going to redo this every time another book ends because Luke’s story is one of growth and change. This is part 3 of 4 as this week marks the alternate reality transition into A Long Lost Time, you’ll be able to see that some things have changed since part 1 and 2 and so has Luke.

WARNING – THIS BLOG CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR ATLANTIC SPLIT, AT LIBERTY TO LIVE AND AN UNDERCOVER DREAM

1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Well, I think I just found it! I’m going home to see my family at last AND I get to go there with Vi as my girlfriend. I’ve never felt so happy, although…I’m really going to miss everyone here.

2. What is your greatest fear?

Going back and having my family all hate me for what I put them through…

3. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

This depression. It’s changed who I am and…I hate it so much, but I’m starting to get on top of it. Slowly…

4. What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Prejudice, especially when it’s unjustified and senseless.

5. Which living person do you most admire?

Steve – he’s so strong. I’m going to miss him so much…

6. What is your greatest extravagance?

Vodka, but I don’t ever want that to be the case again.

7. What is your current state of mind?

I’m full of emotion. Fear, elation, nerves, sadness, joy…my head is just all over the place! I’m going home and Vi’s coming with me! But, I’m going to have to leave the USA and all my friends…it…it’s hard to deal with right now.

8. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Living your dreams…especially when maybe those aren’t the dreams you’re meant to be following. You have to be ready to face disappointment. I really wasn’t.

9. On what occasion do you lie?

I guess I’ve been lying to myself that I could be someone else and give up on who I really am. It’s time to start facing up to the truth. I’m Luke Bright – a twenty year old depressed, alcoholic fugitive. And the person whose job it is to change the world.

10. What do you most dislike about your appearance?

I’m doing alright with myself right now. I quite like my new hair that’s growing now if I’m honest, but when I shaved it all off…no way, never going to do that again.

11. Which living person do you most despise?

Carol Lewis at the moment. She seriously tried to kill all those kids and teachers at the end of year dance? I’m so glad she’s out of our lives. Other than that, it’s gotta be Marco. God, I hope I don’t come across him again when I go home.

12. What is the quality you most like in a man?

Vulnerability – we’ve all got to show emotion.

13. What is the quality you most like in a woman?

A British accent, brown hair, dark eyes you just can’t stop staring at…God, I’m so lucky to be with Vi.

14. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Right now? It’s probably been the words ‘I love you.’ Seriously, cannot stop saying that to Vi after holding it inside for all those months!

15. What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My one and only Violet Smith.

16. When and where were you happiest?

It was Vi’s birthday, that day we were just watching the sun go down on that park bench in Alta Plaza Park. That…that was quite a night. I think there’s a pattern, but I really can’t help it!

17. Which talent would you most like to have?

To be able to remain more positive I think. Is that a talent? If not, probably something like playing the drums. That sounds epic.

18. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I’d sort my head out. Change my brain and just get rid of this depression. It…it’s really dragging me down, and I want to be happy, I’m trying to be, but it’s so hard with that weight on me all the damn time.

19. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Stopping James and Steve from being killed by Wicks and finally stopping drinking.

20. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

I really hope I don’t die now before I get to see my family. I’d probably come back as a plane – sounds random but then I could just fly over to London and then back here whenever I wanted. I guess I’d have to be a pilot rather than a plane as planes don’t fly themselves. Pilot. Yeah…even though flying makes me so nauseous. Maybe a bird then or some other flying creature?

21. Where would you most like to live?

Back home with my family and with Vi. I’m almost there.

22. What is your most treasured possession?

My Converse for sure.

23. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

I think I’ve been there. It wasn’t pretty…

24. What is your favourite occupation?

Acting. I hope I get to do that again someday.

25. What is your most marked characteristic?

It’s my strength.

26. What do you most value in your friends?

The fact they believe in me so much. They’ve never given up on me, even though I’ve given them plenty of reasons to. God, I’m going to miss them all so much, what if I never see them again?

27. Who are your favourite writers?

The author of To Kill A Mockingbird. Harper Lee.

28. Who is your hero of fiction?

Atticus Finch (again from Mockingbird.)

29. Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Martin Luther King Junior – apparently he had depression too, just like me and he made it through. Maybe I can too.

30. Who are your heroes in real life?

Steve’s still my hero and always will be.

31. What are your favourite names?

Can I say Violet again?

32. What is it that you most dislike?

Hurting the ones I love by not being able to control my emotions around them.

33. What is your greatest regret?

The crap I’ve put everyone through, getting addicted to vodka, hurting Vi like I did. There’s plenty, especially from these last few weeks.

34. How would you like to die?

I really don’t want to die, not before I get to see my family again.

35. What is your motto?

Always look on the Bright side. The Luke Bright side. And finally I can. After 20 months on the run, I’m going home and I cannot wait to see my family again. Things are finally falling into place. This is really happening. I’m going home…

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!

Please follow me on my blog and social media links below, and use the links on my website to purchase a copy of each if you have not done so. Don’t forget to leave a review! Thank you once again for taking the time to read this blog post

N.A.K