FATE! Now there’s a word to conjure with. One of the definitions from “Chambers” dictionary describes it as, inevitable destiny or ill fortune, or even doom!

How many of us have suffered from fate, or alternatively been privileged by fate?

Picture the moment, it all starts as a perfectly ordinary day. Uneventful, even routine, and then something happens, without warning fate takes a hand. The event could be tragic such as a medical emergency or an accident, with life changing consequences from the moment it occurs.

Then again it could be quite the opposite, rewarding and life enhancing. Some might say a large lottery win would fall into that category, but it could be much more intimate, something like a chance meeting, after which ones personal life takes a completely different direction.

Many of us may have experienced one or other of these situations. Suddenly there is sadness or happiness, either way it’s a life changing occurrence.

Cecily Harrington was in a bit of a dilemma. Her life, though relatively uninteresting, was filled with considerable anxiety. Cecily had been engaged to Nigel Lawrence for almost three years, and due to a long foreign tour of duty for Nigel, that’s how their relationship remained.

Yet upon his imminent return Cecily realised she had a decision to make.

Whereas she should have been yearning for his return after so long an absence, and looking forward to their forthcoming marriage, Cecily had only doubts in her mind. Did she really love Nigel?

Did she want to spend the rest of her days with him? As the time for his return drew nearer her doubts redoubled, and on the very morning of his return her mind was in crisis.

It was at that very moment that fate took a hand.

To tell you more would undoubtedly detract from the intriguing play that CODS have to offer you. So rather than more of the story, here are just a few pieces of the puzzle, though they are not necessarily in the right order.

For example there is the remote cottage in the West Country, no land line and no mobile signal, but on the plus side recently renovated by the previous owner.

There’s a considerable amount of consternation shared by Celia Harrington’s lifelong friend and her aunt, who is her only living relative.

There’s an air of mystery surrounding a japanned box, an ornate scarf, some bottles dug up in the cottage garden, and a photograph torn from a book.

There’s a man with his dreams shattered, who has no understanding of the reason for his change in fortune.

There’s a stranger, who appears as if from nowhere. Little is known about his past, and then only details he wishes people to know. But the impact on each of the characters in the story is significant.

But enough ... to offer anymore would spoil the plot.

“Love from a Stranger” written by Frank Vosper and based on a short story by Agatha Christie, is a fascinating slow burner of a play with a tense climax. It also seems to leave its audiences with questions they may wish to explore further.

CODS invite you to buy your tickets from Olivia James in the High Street, or from: www.codsonline.com/boxoffice .

There will be tickets at the door as well and you can enjoy a glass of your favourite fortification before, during or indeed after the show!

The mystery unravels each night from 7.30pm and it is being staged at QE Upper School Drama Hall from October 25 to 28.

CODS look forward to seeing you there.

Alan Quick