How can this possibly be, that it’s already the New Year. I’ve been busy with writing and writing-related events since my last book, Courage for the Cabinet Girl, was published at the end of September: a talk in Ringmer village hall where as many as 50 people came; a double-page spread in December’s Writing Magazine: Shelf Life, about 5 different books that had a bearing on my writing life so far, kicking off with an Enid Blyton, because that’s how my imagination was ignited, and a live radio interview by the delightful Kathy Harding on Seahaven FM in Seaford.

The radio interview was interspersed with six songs I chose that have been important to me. Ever since my teens when I first heard the programme Desert Island Discs I’ve secretly yearned to be a guest on the show, but even more secretly knowing I would never be famous enough. But this was even better, I told Kathy, because she played the songs all the way through. You don’t get that on Desert Island Discs as Cher found out when she was a recent guest and chose for her first piece the very same song I had chosen as my first: Procol Harum’s A Whiter Shade of Pale. Kathy and I had so much fun that hour, hooting with laughter as I relived chunks of what people tell me has been an adventurous life.

One evening in Lewes, I bumped into an unknown (to me) woman who told me she was in a book club and coincidentally, they’d picked Courage for the Cabinet Girl as their next book to read before the meeting in November. I felt really honoured, especially when she asked if I would come along and talk to them. They meet in the cinema complex called the Depot, so on the appointed day, I and half a dozen women sat round a table discussing the characters and their motives, the author’s intentions – all kinds of angles. They’d obviously ingested the story and moreover could recall it – mostly agreeing, but sometimes amusingly arguing about things I would never have thought of. It was such an interesting experience and a real treat to meet a handful of my readers.

The icing on the cake was when one of the book club ladies happened to mention that Vera Lynn’s daughter had handed into the local hospice shop some more items of clothing, accessories and photographs. Next morning at 9am sharp, I was looking in the window and spotted one of her coats, a soft mohair in dusky pink and slate blue in an indistinct, large check pattern. I was sure it would fit me and so it did! Every time I wear it someone stops me and admires it. When I tell them it once belonged to that wonderful singer, they are flabbergasted.

But these last weeks haven’t all been book related and happy. I had to have my dear little cat, 14-year-old Bella, put to sleep. I’d only had her for fifteen months. She had cancer of the tongue. She’d already had one eye removed and the tips of both ears lopped off before she came to me – all because of tumours. I miss her every single day. She had the loudest purr I’ve ever heard and was so loving and communicative. It’s made a huge hole without her, so I’m determined to have another furry friend who at this very minute might be waiting anxiously to be rescued. I’m hoping this will be as early as possible in the New Year.

By the end of 2024, I had had six lots of company between August and then. But all of them turned out well and we’ve had a lot of fun. And in early December, I glammed up for a Christmas party in London given by my publishers, Avon HarperCollins. It’s always lovely to touch base with such a friendly and professional team who turn my stories into beautiful books, not to mention catching up with the other authors.

And finally, I wish you, dear Reader, and all your family, a very Happy New Year.

Back with you very soon!

Molly Green