Dina lives on in hubby Gordon’s new book

On Christmas Day four years ago, Gordon Nicoll’s life fell apart, as his beloved wife Dina died of bowel cancer.
Selkirk author Gordon Nicoll with his first book for children, The Noisy Ninja.Selkirk author Gordon Nicoll with his first book for children, The Noisy Ninja.
Selkirk author Gordon Nicoll with his first book for children, The Noisy Ninja.

Now, Gordon, from Selkirk, who retired recently after 35 years’ service as a senior biomedical scientist at NHS Borders, has written and self-published his first book for children in her memory.

Gordon said: “When Dina died, it was the suddenness that was the hardest part.

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“She had been unwell since we got back from a holiday to Berlin that summer, but she soldiered on.

The book tells the tale of Emiri, the Noisy Ninja, who meets a friendly dragon named Dina.The book tells the tale of Emiri, the Noisy Ninja, who meets a friendly dragon named Dina.
The book tells the tale of Emiri, the Noisy Ninja, who meets a friendly dragon named Dina.

“However, I eventually made her go into hospital and we got the horrible news.

“She was on chemotherapy, but she had to stop when she got an infection. She was in the Margaret Kerr Unit for respite when I got the call on Christmas Day that I had to come in.”

Gordon said it was heartbreaking and shocking for him, but even more so for the couple’s children Euan, now 22, and Catherine, who is 19.

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Since retiring earlier this year, Gordon has been back at work helping out during the pandemic, but between shifts, he decided to write the book, titled The Noisy Ninja, and Dina has a rather surprising starring role.

Selkirk author Gordon Nicoll with his first book for children, The Noisy Ninja.Selkirk author Gordon Nicoll with his first book for children, The Noisy Ninja.
Selkirk author Gordon Nicoll with his first book for children, The Noisy Ninja.

Gordon explained: “The idea for the book came from my friend’s daughter Emily, who would try to sneak into our house with very little success.

“Dina’s Chinese horoscope is the dragon so it seemed appropriate to include a benevolent dragon in the story, and it took off from there.”

The adventure story, set in Japan, is about a young girl called Emiri who wishes to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a great ninja warrior. Unfortunately, she’s clumsy and too noisy.

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When Dina the dragon arrives in the village and settles into a nearby cave Emiri shows her bravery by seeking the dragon out. Dina thankfully turns out to be a friendly dragon and Emiri and Dina are soon best friends.

Euan, a post-graduate English Literature student, helped Gordon out by sub-editing the book, which was illustrated by Lyn Stone.

Gordon joked: “That means he pointed out where I went wrong!

“Catherine has also read it and she says she was quite impressed.”

The Noisy Ninja is available to buy on paperback from Amazon, priced £7.99.