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
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.
My latest novel: Courage for the Cabinet Girl is out next month, 26th 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.
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.
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 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.