Towards the end of World War II, Tom Slim becomes a "printer's devil". Apart from everyday wartime problems, he finds things going wrong with his work due to a "demon" in the printing works. (Type is 'pied', parcels changed, mysterious errors occur, etc.). Helped eventually by coded messages from the demon and by Peter, his younger brother, Tom discovers that his immediate superior, Mr. Pilcher, is the demon's intended target. Mr. Pilcher, who steals paper for his own printing purposes, realises Tom's suspicions and tries to get him sacked. He had caused the sacking of Sam Everton for the same reason. (Killed on his way home by a bomb, it is Sam's demon that is seeking justice for his unfair dismissal.) Mr. McKellan, Tom's boss, begins to believe in Tom's guilt and Tom's crisis deepens. Eventually, however, with Peter and Mary's help, Tom unmasks his adversary. Mr. Pilcher's confession placates the demon and Tom is exonerated in time to share the VE Day celebrations as peace in Europe is declared.
About Rex Andrews
Dr Rex Andrews is a former editor of the London Educational Review, principal lecturer in English at Goldsmiths' College and visiting fellow at the Institute, also alumnus PhD 1979, MPhil 1967 and PGCE 1958.
A former member of the Magic Circle and the British Printing Society and currently a member of the Society of Authors and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, he writes stories and articles and is a prize-winning poet.
Rex Andrew's first job after leaving school at 14 was printing, first as a compositor and then as a machine minder.
Printing remained with him as a fascinating hobby after his national service, university and teaching career. In fact, he only sold his last hand printing presses and lead type after his retirement to France.
He has taught courses in language and literature (including children's literature) in colleges and university and continues to contribute to international education conferences.
His other interests include international understanding, art, music and family life. his own family has grown-up, but he and his wife are glad to have two grandchildren in England and four "adopted" French grandchildren in the village where they now live.
