Introducing Theo

Today I’m introducing the first protagonist in After The Siren - Theophilus Bestavros.

Illustration by Amalas Rosa.

Theo started his life as a character when I was thinking about what it would be like to have one of those potentially-game-winning, career-defining moments and absolutely stuff it up (I know, cheerful).

Theo did it all right — worked incredibly hard, did everything he was told, and ended up cracking under his own expectations and the pressure of working with a coach who didn’t suit him. He’s getting a second chance, but he’s struggling not to get in his own way. And let me tell you, Jake Cunningham isn’t making it any easier.

Theo’s story is quite personal. As someone who has struggled with anxiety for a lot of my adult life, I can empathise with the absolute frustration of being told you can do it and thinking I know, but I’m not doing it.

Theo is very smart, quietly funny, and holds a grudge. I had so much fun writing his initial reactions to Jake. I was just happily cackling to myself while Theo was deeply annoyed by everything Jake did.

I hope readers will enjoy Theo as much as I enjoy writing him.