Accidents will happen!

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Since I wrote my Spring blogpost, it must have only been days later that I had a horrible accident. I’m almost too ashamed to tell you what happened. I was doing a Pilates exercise in the kitchen showing off to my friend that even at my age I could stand on one leg for more than the 10 seconds Dr Michael Mosley said we should do whilst cleaning our teeth. I dropped my leg down after about 30 seconds of near-perfect balance and told my friend I could have gone on longer. So far so good.

Then she said, ‘Have you ever tried it with your eyes closed?’ I hadn’t. But instead of grounding myself first and making sure there was something solid close by – just in case – I simply closed eyes and raised leg at the same time, immediately overbalancing backwards. Trying to save myself, I slid helplessly across the floor, ending in a heap by the sink. From there it was the ambulance to the A&E and an X-ray. The doctor informed me I had a tiny hairline crack in one of my vertebrae. I said, ‘That’s good, it’ll soon heal then.’ She said, ‘Unfortunately, it’s enough to give you severe pain for the next few weeks, and then it will be 6 months getting back to normal and could even take up to a year.’ Grrrrr. I’m giving it 6 months max.

The good thing is that after the first fortnight, I’m writing as much every day as I usually do. In fact, my writing has been the one thing that stopped me from slumping into despair. With the help of a steady supply of painkillers at the beginning, I could lose myself in my characters and the many problems I threw at them. I am also exceptionally lucky to have my dear group of friends, close at hand, who cook for me, chauffeur me, and generally keep me cheerful. And I’m sure I wouldn’t have recovered this much by now if it wasn’t for Emily, my fantastic physiotherapist turning up every week at my house and showing me Pilates exercises, pressing into the trigger points and having me shouting with agony, then giving me a heavenly massage. This has not been via the NHS – they said I had to wait 5 weeks and then go to Brighton for just three sessions. But as I could hardly move, I couldn’t see how I could manage any kind of transport. Enough of that!

My latest book, Wartime Secrets at the Mayfair Club, has just been published (Tesco is selling the special Fern Britton recommendation with extra material at the back), so it’s exciting to see it fly from my computer to the shelves. My fictional club is modelled on the beautiful Georgian building that accommodates the University Women’s Club (UWC) in Mayfair, London, of which I’ve been a member for over 30 years. It was open every day to its 1500 members right through the Blitz until the end of the war, providing shelter and friendship as it still does today. Thankfully, the Club wasn’t bombed although some nearby buildings were damaged or destroyed.

But it was the lamp post a few feet away from the entrance that I’d just discovered held a wartime secret which gave me the inspiration to write this book. This time I’ve cautiously dipped my toe into spy world and absolutely loved writing it, even though I kept hearing the voice of Emma, my editor, in my ears saying, ‘Don’t make this a spy novel, Molly.’ Surprised, I answered, ‘No, of course not – I wouldn’t know how.’ I will leave it to you, the Reader, to judge whether I (more or less) kept to my word.

If you’re anywhere near Lewes on Saturday, 25th July at 2.30, I’m giving a talk at Ringmer Village Hall on some of the wild and wonderful research I do for my novels It’s only a fiver and that includes tea and homemade cakes. A real bargain, though I modestly say it myself!

Molly Green holding Wartime Secrets at the Mayfair Club in Tesco, Lewes

People sometimes ask which book has been my favourite to write. I’ve loved writing every single one but if I have to choose, it’s always the one I’m writing at this very moment! This happens to take place deep within a disused underground station in 1940 and I’m enjoying the research and the writing immensely. This one will be out in the summer of 2027.

So for now, settle down on a sunbed with a large hat to shade your face, and a long, cool drink topped with one of those little floating umbrellas by your side, relax and enjoy a wonderful summer of reading – and if you begin to drift, I give you full permission to close your eyes . . . but be sure to have something solid close by to hold onto!

Molly Green

Spring has finally sprung

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As I write this, the weather forecaster has announced that High Pressure is now in charge for the next few days. I give it capital letters on purpose because it’s exciting to think Spring which has been lurking round the corner is about to reveal itself in all its colourful splendour. I don’t normally wax lyrical like this, but letting my face absorb some natural Vitamin D whilst in my courtyard, a book on the table in front of me and a tray of coffee and three Nairns oatcakes, thickly spread with crunchy peanut butter and my rescued tabby cat, Betsy, stretched out asleep at my feet – well, it’s my idea of heaven.

Lately, I’ve been immersed in structural edits and copy-edits for the new novel coming out in June: Wartime Secrets at the Mayfair Club, and the strapline, The Mayfair Ladies’ Club survived the Blitz – but can it survive betrayal? It’s modelled on the University Women’s Club in Mayfair of which I’ve been a member for more than 30 years.

By chance, I recently uncovered a mystery about a lamp post just outside the entrance door that few people seem to know about and couldn’t resist having it play a major role in my novel although I’ve tweaked the timing. Well, I am writing fiction, but I do explain why I’ve taken this rare step in my Historical Notes at the back. Now I’m about to tackle the proofs. It’s exciting when I see how my story will look on the page, so I enjoy this last part of the process before it’s finally published. When the proofs are completed and sent back to my editor, it’s as though a huge burden has been lifted from my shoulders.

‘Then why do you put yourself through all that stress?’ demand my sister and friends.

‘Because I love every minute of it, even when I hit a brick wall,’ I say. ‘Writing
novels is the best job in the world.’ And as I’ve had well over 100 jobs in my life (I gave up counting at this point), I can say this with absolute conviction.

Some of my writing friends list in their blogposts or newsletters what books they’ve
been reading. I always enjoy seeing what has enthused them and sometimes buy one of their recommendations. However, my reading material these days is nearly all for research on the Second World War. One of the many I’m reading for my current novel is by Winston Churchill’s private secretary, John Colville.

Sir John Colville in 1982

I’ve read the first of his diaries and am now on the second one, The Fringes of Power, and wondering why my wrists get painful – not surprising as those books weigh a ton to hold. I recently finished the irrepressible Noel Coward with his hilarious, full-of-gossip diary set in wartime and beyond, together with a little gem I came across on my late husband’s bookshelves called Middle-East Diary written in 1942 when Coward was out there entertaining the troops. His way with words is so delightful and his love and admiration of Winston Churchill warm your heart.

However, there’s nothing like curling up on the sofa in the afternoon when I’ve
finished working, a tray of real tea in my grandmother’s gold-painted teapot, with Betsy curled up on my lap and turn the first page of a new novel, often one by Persephone. I’m a huge fan of the company, founded by Nicola Beauman 25 years ago. Ninety-five percent are written by women, many who were famous in their time but not heard of until Ms Beauman – an author herself – resolved to bring them to life again. It doesn’t matter which book you choose with the silky-grey cover, period-designed endpapers and informative bookmarks, you’re bound to feel in minutes that you’re in excellent company.

So enjoy the glorious spring weather with a book you’ve been meaning to read while I carry on writing the novel I’ve promised my editor to write!

Molly

Merry Christmas to you all!

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Christmas tree I think this every year, but how can it possibly be almost Christmas? Where has the year gone?

However, this has proved a very difficult year for me with my sister, Carole, being seriously ill for the first six months and then most of the last part of this year recovering, but she’s in much better shape now which is a huge relief. I was happy to be in the audience watching and listening to her singing carols in her local Lewes choir. What a wonderful recovery she’s made.

But last month, I fell over onto my face, my cheek slamming onto the tarmac outside Clapham Junction, of all places, on the way to see my 96-year-old aunt in a care home in Wandsworth.

When I walked into the foyer bleeding hand, swollen and bruised eye and cheek, sprained wrist and very shaken, I asked if they had a vacant room I could sign for! They did rush a nurse over to see me and she patched me up, assuring me I hadn’t broken anything. So quite honestly, I shan’t be too upset to see the back end of this year and can say that managing to do some writing whenever I had a spare hour helped keep me – well, sane.

But it’s not all been bad. It’s always exciting to have a new book out and my latest, The Wartime Librarian’s Secret, was published in June. Just after that date, I gave a talk at the University Women’s Club in Mayfair on some iconic buildings I’ve used in my novels. I finished by telling the audience that my next book would be set in this very club where I’ve been a member for over 30 years.

Its title is Wartime Secrets at the Mayfair Club with the strapline The Mayfair Ladies’ Club survived the Blitz – but can it survive betrayal? and will be out on 4th June 2026. I’ve just submitted it to my editor at Avon HarperCollins.

I also can’t believe I’ve had my little rescue cat, Betsy, for almost a year. She settled in very quickly, but she never comes to my railway carriage in the garden where I write, the way my previous cat used to. She put her head in the door once, and walked up and down once, and that was it. She prefers to sleep in her own bedroom – on the guest bed, of course.

Photo of Betsy the cat

There’s only one more thing to say, Dear Reader – whenever Christmas gets on top of you, tuck into a quiet corner with a new book and I guarantee after an hour (if you can get away with it) you will feel refreshed and ready to face it all again.

Cats and Books – what a combination!

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How is it possible that our lovely summer has already slipped into Autumn? And this time it was even more of a shock because the glorious weather had just turned a whole lot cooler. Luckily, for me, my Grecian writing retreat was just around the corner.

And what a (re)treat! Our small writing group was unfortunately one down (Suzanne Goldring couldn’t make it), but Carol McGrath, owner of a property in the sun-drenched, stunning coastline of the Mani, was a great hostess to Gail Aldwin and me in spite of having recently undergone a major operation. The four of us have annually (when possible) come together to write in The Greek House, sight-see, eat delicious food and share wine, shop (difficult to resist the colourful clothes at bargain prices), and relax in the blissful warmth of a summer evening.

This time we went to an unusual concert in the mountains, given by three vibrant young women who played different instruments and sang in 28 languages. Their voices in perfect harmony were magical. With all this going on, you’d think we’d have no time left to write. Wrong! We managed several hours every day, and at four o’clock we’d meet for tea and homemade scones (by me!) and read out our chapters and critique them. It works like a dream. I wrote 11,000 words – a record in 7 days for me. No matter that I deleted at least a thousand when I was home. That’s all part of the writing process.

In August, I gave a talk at the University Women’s Club where I’ve been a member for over thirty years. The subject was some of the iconic buildings I’ve used for my settings in my novels. It was the first time I’ve ever used a projector and screen and although I’d practised under the instructions of author Alison Morton (also a member), who kindly put the slide show together, I was still nervous on the night.

Of course, technology sometimes acts up (not my fault, of course!) but gave the audience a few laughs – never a bad thing at a talk. I was surprised so few of the women (there were only two men in the audience) had been to Bletchley Park and Churchill’s Cabinet War Rooms, so I’m hoping my books on those subjects will inspire them to pay a visit.

One of the slides I showed was Longleat, near Bath. It’s been on the television several times lately but mostly commentating on the grounds and the history of the world-famous safari. However, during the war the safari didn’t exist. The Marquis of Bath was requested by the War Ministry to take in a private school called The Royal School for Daughters of the Officers of the Army. I read a memoir of one of the girls who attended there during the war. A spoilt and rebellious child, she was eventually expelled.

The Marquis also gave permission for the Americans to build an American military hospital in the grounds. Perfect! I now had an American doctor who would be the hero, working and living in a conglomeration of hurriedly built huts, and my heroine would be in the grand house as the librarian.

Throw the rebellious teen (they didn’t use the term ‘teenager’ in the war) into the mix and I had the fragments of a story which became The Wartime Librarian’s Secret, published last July. You can see how it appeals to cats as well as readers!

The penultimate building I showed was the club itself. I told them this is the setting I’ve chosen for my latest book, out next June. It’s called Wartime Secrets at the Mayfair Club: The Ladies’ Mayfair Club survived the Blitz – but can it survive betrayal?

Just days ago I wrote THE END on a very rough draft, but at least the story is down so I’m able to enjoy all the editing it needs before submission. This time I’m tiptoeing into spy-land and have discovered another piece of history – namely the British Union of Fascists – that I never realised was quite so widespread and so treacherous, and that if Oswald Mosley and his tens of thousands of supporters had been successful, they could have completely changed the outcome of the war.

* * *

If anyone is near Lewes, East Sussex on Saturday, 15th November, do come to a talk I’m giving in the library located at Styles Field, Friar’s Walk, 1.30 – 3pm and signing copies of The Wartime Librarian’s Secret. I would love to see you so please introduce yourself if you do. There will be a similar slide show to the one in the UWC and you’ll have the chance to see the last slide which is actually a video made especially for me showing the ultimate iconic building – where I write!
Until next time, happy reading.

Molly Green

New Cat, New Editor and New Book

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I feel awful not having written anything on this blog since the beginning of the year. It’s been a very worrying time, owing to my sister, Carole, being dangerously ill whilst waiting for a heart operation. She’s finally had the surgery and is now back in her own home after five whole months away. I’m so relieved and happy to report that she is doing remarkably well and has recovered her independence.

However, I have some catching up to do in my writing, not only on the current work in progress, but here on my blog, so I do hope you are still around and reading this one. As the title suggests, life has to carry on whatever the difficulties.

Betsy

In January, the local rescue centre rang to see if I would be interested in a mature cat who came in over Christmas and needed a loving home. Of course, I said yes, as I missed my little Bella terribly. Already left with only one eye and lopped ears from tumours when she lived with her previous owner, Bella was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue. Going to sleep permanently was a release for her. Now, Betsy, a tabby, has come to live with me. She has the same gentle nature as Bella, but what a different character. She acts like she’s two instead of ten, always jumping and rushing and demanding. But by the sound of her purr when she’s on my lap, she loves being with me and I love having her.

In May, my editor rang to say she was leaving Avon HarperCollins and going alone as a freelance editor. I’ve had many different editors in the past decade. They’ve all been extremely professional as well as warm and friendly but it’s always a bit concerning to have to begin with a new editor as they play an important part in an author’s career. I shouldn’t have worried. I’ve met Billy, my new editor, on Zoom who comes across in the usual Avon style with enthusiasm and efficiency, so I’m hoping this will prove a good relationship for both of us.

Many people tell me that their summer holiday is the only time they manage to read, so I’d like to mention my new book, out on 17^th July, called The Wartime Librarian’s Secret. This time, I’ve modelled the setting on the famous country house, Longleat, near Bath. I think some of its fame comes from the highly regarded safari park – in fact, I read in a recent travel article in the Telegraph about the best leisure parks in the country and Longleat won hands down as the overall winner. However, during the war the safari park didn’t exist. What did exist was a temporary military hospital in the grounds and therein lay a perfect foil to my heroine’s new place of work in the mansion itself. I won’t say anything further, but I hope this snippet has whetted your interest.

If you’ve only been to the Safari Park at Longleat, I urge you to walk round the stunning house, and even better if you can join a guided tour with one of the knowledgeable staff, where you’ll learn some fascinating historical details, some of which I’ve incorporated in this latest novel.

Happy reading throughout what I hope will prove a wonderful summer.

Molly

Happy New Year!

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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

Where I write

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Well, summer has endeavoured to arrive on a number of occasions but just as suddenly disappeared into pouring rain, but this week looks much warmer and drier. My rain garden is quite happy though and the flowers and grasses have shot up. The exciting thing for me in the garden is the flowering of my three newly planted magnolia trees. They’re the ones I remember when I lived in Georgia, USA some decades ago. When the flowers are fully out, they look like gorgeous creamy-white satin bows.

Those of you who read my posts know that I do my writing in my railway carriage, specially built by my two artisan builders. Here is the latest photograph taken when the flowers first bloomed in early ‘summer’. I still haven’t got over the novelty of sitting in the First-Class compartment, having my coffee or cup of tea, reading over the latest chapter or one of my research books, then walking through the partition into the office section where the ‘real’ work continues.

My latest novel: Courage for the Cabinet Girl is out next month, 26^th September. My heroine, Katie, trained as a secretary and wanting to do her bit in the war, grasps the opportunity to work in the mysterious underground maze of the Cabinet War Rooms, not realising at first that this is where Winston Churchill directed the entire Second World War. I’ve really enjoyed writing this particular novel (actually, I’ve loved writing all of them!) because Mr Churchill plays a leading part – he would, wouldn’t he? It’s been such fun writing dialogue in the way he used to speak to various members of the staff, his idiosyncratic and volatile personality bursting through, all too often to the chagrin of the recipient.

I’m giving a talk on the novel and how I did my research on publication day itself at Waterstones in Lewes on Thursday, 26^th September, from 6 -7pm. If you happen to be in the area, I’d love it if you could join us, as meeting my readers is so rewarding and spurs me on to write the next novel! The event is bookable through Waterstones website and the £5 ticket price will be deducted from the price of the book, should you decide to buy one. And just today the manager told me he would provide a welcoming glass of wine!

Hope to see some of you there.

Molly’s carriage in summer

Until next time, happy reading.

Molly Green

Trains, Bath and books

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The four Diamonds

Well, looking out of my First Class compartment window (many of you will know I now write my novels in a 1930’s replica of a railway carriage in the garden), one would never know it’s summer by the temperature and gloomy grey skies. I just hope it improves as I have lovely summery events coming up soon: two trips to Glyndebourne, one of them on my birthday to see The Merry Widow which I know well, having sung in the chorus many years ago in an amateur operatic production, and I’m presenting my garden to the public on the 23^rd so it really must keep fine that week – for all of us!

My writing friends who, with me, formed the Diamonds writing group ten years ago, decided to have a day out as when we meet each month, it’s always to concentrate on our work in progress. We decided to go by Pullman train to Bath (my selfish suggestion as my new heroine is an assistant librarian in the Bath Lending Library). What a fabulous train. As you can see from the photograph at the top, here are the four of us lapping up the luxury. We were waited on hand and foot.

Inside the Pullman coach

It was ages since any of us had visited Bath, so how lovely to wander round and become reacquainted with the stunning buildings and quaint shops.

We looked in at the Pump Room (where my current novel opens!) and I was able to have a chat with a waiter who’d been there for 25 years and was very aware of its history, and then made for Persephone Books which moved from Bloomsbury in London three years ago.

Just walking through the door, I felt completely at home, as the store is laid out in a similar fashion. I’m a big fan of this company that reprints authors – mainly female – who were well-known in their time but fell out of fashion over the following decades. Nicola Beauman, founder and owner, now on the brink of handing the reins to her daughter, was there to greet me with a big hug. It was wonderful catching up with her and of course I couldn’t leave without a bagful of books, and neither could any of the other Diamonds.

In Ringmer (near Lewes) where I now live, I made fast friends with Liz, the librarian. She’s given me some fascinating details about cataloguing during the war. The system was devised in 1876 and we still use it today. Even better, she put my name down as a volunteer in the library for a couple of afternoons, just to get a flavour of being behind the counter.

My only experience of working in a ‘library’ was when I was about 6 years old and my older sister cut out a potato which, when inked, was used as a stamp for the books, representing their return date! A sharp contrast to the computer. It was such a jolly afternoon meeting some really interesting borrowers although libraries nowadays are so different. For one thing, you’re allowed to talk in them! The heartwarming part was the children choosing their books. They were much more focused on what they wanted to read than the adults! I can’t wait for the second session in July.

Photo by Comstock on Freeimages.com

In the meantime, I must check the proofs of the next novel out on 26th September: Courage for the Cabinet Girl. This is set in Winston Churchill’s underground War Rooms. He conducted practically the whole of the war from his Cabinet Room. If you’ve never been there, I do urge you to go. You’ll find it incredibly atmospheric and full of fascinating detail.

Happy summer reading,
Molly

Marching into Spring

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Good morning, everyone. It’s hard to believe it’s almost spring when I look out of my office window where rain is hurtling down and it’s still cold. But I’m lovely and toasty in my railway carriage where I write.

Bella, my elderly rescued cat, finally plucked up the courage to come and see me in the carriage and when she visits, she likes to jump onto the train seat. I’ve prepared it in advance for any wet paws by unfolding an old sheet across it. She then curls up to nap for a few hours (that’s her definition of a nap!) until I emerge needing coffee. (photo attached)

I’ve written the first draft of a new novel which I’ve just finished editing for the umpteenth time. This last edit was serious as it was the one my critique writing partner, thriller and historical fiction writer Alison Morton, meticulously went through, leaving a trail of red-penned alterations and suggestions.

My heroine, Katie, is a secretary, nursing a devastating personal secret, and lands a job in Churchill’s Cabinet War Rooms in Whitehall. It’s a wonderfully claustrophobic atmosphere for a novelist to explore and perfect for secrets to be kept under wraps (though not always successfully!) and romantic liaisons to develop!

I’m thinking about the next novel after this. As an author, it’s wise to have at least one good idea ahead of your current one. This time, the setting will be on a country estate, requisitioned for more than one other purpose. Because of the war, a twist of fate will bring my new heroine and hero into contact with one another. That’s all I’m up to in my head and I have to trust myself that I can write it and my publishers will eventually transform it into an engaging historical novel.

This requires lots of research but I can’t pretend

it’s a chore. I love research. I’ve learnt so much about the women I write who did unusual jobs in the Second World War, mostly through their published memoirs, so I’m confident I’m writing straight from the heart on behalf of these marvellous women. And my goodness, the more I uncover, the more there is to learn! But if by reading my novels, a reader gains some insight into the kinds of difficult situations these women, sometimes still in their ‘teens, faced, then I consider my job worthwhile.

And lastly, if anyone lives in the Wandsworth area and would like to come to my talk on Bletchley Park to be held on 4^th April in the Avery Care Home, do get in touch.

That’s it from me. Happy reading!

Molly Green

Where has 2023 gone?

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It seems impossible that Christmas is almost upon us. Every year I say this, but this year, really, how on earth did a whole year slip away while I wasn’t looking. Next year I’m determined to hang on to it.

To update you on my books, my last Bletchley Park novel in the series: Wartime Wishes at Bletchley Park, came out at the end of November in time, I hope, for readers to curl up for some relaxation during all the mad preparations for Christmas and over the festivities.

On Saturday I gave a talk at Ringmer Village Hall (near Lewes, Sussex) about how I do my research for my historical novels. When I’d spread all my novels out on the table I could hardly believe there were twelve, especially as I was such a late starter – just turned 60!

Once again I had a super audience who were laughing along with all my experiences that I went through to exploit for authenticity in my novels. I described going on a cargo ship as one of my modern heroines, Juliet, did when she followed in her grandparents footsteps to Australia. They had emigrated in 1913 when they were only nineteen and twenty years of age and had just become engaged and were in steerage on a magnificent ship called the Orsova. I based it on my own grandparents who did exactly the same thing just before the Great War.

Another experience was piloting a Spitfire! Yes, you read it here! All right, it was a simulator but it felt absolutely real to me. I’m not keen on flying generally but felt I had to appreciate how it felt to be in control for the sake of my heroine in A Sister’s Courage where Raine joined the Air Transport Auxiliary and flew many different planes in wartime. It was a fabulous experience. The Spitfire was so sensitive to every movement and seemed to work out what I wanted it to do before I knew myself! The instructor assured me every detail was exactly the same, even to the smell of the cockpit.

And a third example was when my late husband and I went to Ditchley Park on a Churchill tour and we slept in Clemmie Churchill’s bedroom and enjoyed her huge en-suite bathroom. Apparently, her bath was bigger than Winston’s so he often used to come in from his adjoining room and use it! So, reader, Molly Green was only a watermark away from the great man’s posterior!

In a strange way it’s easier to write novels when one has had plenty of life’s experiences. I’ve had a life full of adventures and almost always have something to draw on, particularly the emotions that have accompanied my travels and meetings with people from different backgrounds, sometimes foreign, and in unusual work places – all grist for a novelist.

Denise's 1st class compartment And my job is made even more fun nowadays as my fantastically-creative builders have now finished my new office in the garden – a First Class carriage with a real 30’s train door! I can’t wait to get in there each morning and start writing! This time I’m revealing a young woman’s life as a secretary in Churchill’s Cabinet War Rooms during the Second World War. I visited them decades ago but am due to go again shortly to refresh myself as to the layout and the many different departments. Conditions were terrible to work in but it’s incredibly fascinating and I urge you to make a resolution to go this coming year.

In the meantime I hope you have a Merry Christmas. See you in the New Year!

Molly Green