Think stripey, nautical and natty. A perfect foil for the G-fitting amongst us who don’t like our feet

As Her Up There is gallivanting off on her hols to Italy soon (she’s been having Italian lessons and practising on me, her pronunciation is appalling) I am having my very own jaunt in exotic East Anglia. I’m off to stay at Granny’s for a whole month (Grandpa doesn’t know this yet, tee hee) and I’m going to have a lovely time running round the countryside, annoying Granny’s dog Teddy and chasing the chickens who live on the other side of the common. Apparently one of the cluckers has died since I was last there but no way is anyone pinning that on me. Of course, I’ll look suitably woebegone when mum goes off so she feels very guilty, but in reality I’ll be rubbing my paws together for some serious fun time. Ciao peeps!

One of the nicest things after being squirrelled away all year writing is my lovely book signings, where I get to see all my fabulous friends, family and readers and have a good old catch up. Last night’s soiree at the picturesque Crown pub in Northill was no exception. It’s my dad’s local, and where I had my first major hangover aged 18 at my best friend’s Clare’s 18th birthday party. Thankfully my imbibing is a little more controlled these days (only a little) and the place was packed, with everyone wanting a signed copy of DIRTY TRICKS and asking who from the village was in it this time. All I can say is I’ve got some inspiration for my next book already! There’s nowt as colourful as country folk, despite what those city slickers say….

One of my favourite parts of being an author (aside from the writing and not having to get dressed until midday) are book signings, where I get to see all my lovely friends and readers and have a good old gossip over a glass of wine or three. Last night’s signing at the picturesque Crown pub in Northill was no exception. It’s my parents local and half the village turned out to get their signed copy of DIRTY TRICKS. The booze and conversation was flowing (everyone wants to know if they’re in the book), I managed not to swear in my thank you speech and a lively time was had by all. I woke up this morning with a bulging (steady) cashbox and a slightly fuzzy head. Ah, good times! Until the next one.

It’s always nice when you’ve been squirrelled away writing all year to come out and play, and my book signings are definitely more play than work! A little later than normal, we had the inaugural The Crown book signing in the picturesque Northill, where half the village turned out to buy a signed copy of DIRTY TRICKS. It’s my dad’s local, think quaint little country pub with a lovely garden my sister and I used to play in, and where I had my first major hangover aged 18 at my best friend Clare’s 18th birthday

Moi!

excellent night!