The Ukrainian

Amazing how a simple encounter can stir the imagination. Her name was Anna, or at least the badge on her elegant waitress uniform said so. Although she was young, she looked tired and worn. An unruly curl from her dull, lifeless blonde hair, had worked its way from under her cap. ‘More coffee? Toast?’ Although … Continue reading The Ukrainian →

Stop! Don’t Run.

My latest book launched this week. A topical read in today's world. They invaded her country, so she ran. The intensive bombing of Ukraine came on the very day Anna was visiting her parents in Mariupol. Grieving and in shock, she fled- not just from the advancing Russian Army but from Borysko, her abusive oligarch … Continue reading Stop! Don’t Run. →

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A mug of surprises

A cup of surprises. I celebrated my birthday around the same time as my book ‘The Blue House on the Corner’ was launched. (Yes, happy birthday to me, and all that!) I received a load of lovely presents from family and friends, but just look what my inventive grandson gave me. The cover of my … Continue reading A mug of surprises →

My Writing Den

As writers, we all need a place where we can sit and write. If you're the type of person who can write while someone else is watching TV, then lucky you. I can't! I had my own little den in my last house, but 5 months into our new home it's either the bed, a … Continue reading My Writing Den →

The wedding anniversary

Today, 16th October, is my wedding anniversary. Brilliant! I've been married for over 50 years - a child bride of course. We had a grand celebration when it was our 50th wedding anniversary. We spent the day with our children and their families by having a four course meal, with champagne, on the slow moving … Continue reading The wedding anniversary →

Our skeletons in the cupboard

When I was counselling, I realised more and more that everyone of us has a story to tell. Oh our stories might not be as colourful and dramatic as some of the stories we hear on the news or read in magazines, nevertheless, they're our stories and they're important - because they've made us what we are today. I … Continue reading Our skeletons in the cupboard →

Those imaginary friends

We moved around quite a lot when I was a little girl and I always seemed to be having to make new friends. It was especially difficult when we moved from Newcastle upon Tyne to Croydon, in Surrey. I was about six at the time. It wasn't a particular nice area but it was the only … Continue reading Those imaginary friends →

The power of the pen

Extract from 'The Senator's Assignment' The candle flickered as a gust of wind rattled through the shutters of the fort's window, sending a thin spiral of smoke drifting towards him. Fabius blinked rapidly and rubbed his eyes; they felt gritting and kept watering but he continued writing, his hand moving in short nervous jerks, his … Continue reading The power of the pen →

Sunday roast

I love my Sunday roast. I love cooking it and I love eating it. But I remember one Sunday, when I was in my teens , standing chattering to my mother in the kitchen about some inconsequential matter as she prepared our Sunday dinner. It was seeing her cut a small piece of the joint … Continue reading Sunday roast →