In 'The Trick is to Keep Breathing', Janice Galloway takes us into the mind of drama teacher Joy Stone, as she struggles with mental illness following the death of her lover, Michael.
The school holds a memorial service for Michael who worked there as a teacher. The Reverend Dogsbody who conducts the service, does not mention Joy. He extends our sympathies, our hearts and our love only to Michael’s wife and family.
Joy compares the service to the Reverend performing a miracle - as if removing her from the story of Michael's life. She refers to herself as a stain and concludes that:
I didn't exist. The miracle had wiped me out
This is a turning point. It leads to further trauma in Joy. Shocked and distressed, she has to be escorted from the building.
