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
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 17th 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.
