Thanks to Jane, Donna and Melissa, who all commented on the last blog, I’m back again (and not sure whether to thank them or to think … darn it!)  I’ve been in London, where I had a very nice lunch with my lovely editor, followed by martinis at the Goring Hotel … absolutely fabulous and after three the world was looking a much better place, I can tell you, although I nearly passed out when I saw the bill!  They were delicious though, so I really think one of heroines will have to be taken for a drink there one of these days – it’s what research is all about.

 I couldn’t wait to  leave London when I lived there, but I really enjoy going back now, and the city was looking its best in the spring sunshine.  The only problem with London is how big it is, and how far you have to walk – and the fact that I have never been able to  find comfortable shoes that won’t look ridiculous with anything smarter than my dog-walking trousers.  This time, as I had lunch and the RNA panel to go to, I wore knee-high boots under a skirt, but I was definitely struggling by the time I’d walked up and down tube tunnels, along Piccadilly, round the National Gallery, through Soho and across Green Park.  It’s not as if they’re new boots either – in fact, they are decidedly stained and scuffed – but when you’re walking only flatties will do. 

In spite of the fact that my feet are possibly my best feature (small and neat … so unlike the rest of me) I am so not a shoe person.  Jane isn’t the first person to suggest that I have a bit of a shoe fetish, but honestly, nothing could be further from the truth!  I only give my heroines a love of shoes because I think it’s something other women will identify with, a bit like chocolate or ice-cream, neither of which do anything for me either.  I routinely ruin outfits by not wearing the right shoes, and not cleaning those I do wear. In fact, one of the best things about being a writer is  being able to spend all day in your slippers.   It’s true that I do sometimes have a rush of blood to the head and buy a new pair of shoes in the hope that I will miraculously transform my image, but the ones I like are never practical for more than sitting down in.  I’m short, but sadly not petite (sigh) which means that heels do wonders for me, but I loathe wearing tights, so anything elegant is out.  And I find even pretty kitten heels aren’t comfortable or practical for walking over York’s cobbles – and certainly not for walking the dog! 

Not only do I not care about shoes, chocolate or ice cream, I turn up my nose at sales as well (I’m not a real woman, obviously).  The bargain rail has no appeal for me at all – everything seems so tired and you can’t see anything when it’s all jammed in together.  However I did go against type the other day by buying a pair of shoes in Jigsaw the other day, at no less than £101 off!  And here they are, for those of you who do like shoes …

I have to admit that I do love them, but of course will never be able to wear them.  The slightest drop of rain will ruin them, which means that they will only ever be good for teetering downstairs to the sitting room, and frankly, I’m more likely to wear my scummy old slippers if I’m staying in.  So they will sit in my bedroom and gather dust like the rest of my shoes – or maybe one of my heroines will get to wear them one day … look out for them in future books!

And talking of books … I finished a 150 page draft before I went to London, which I was quite pleased with.  I reread it when I came back, and it’s not a disaster … on the other hand, it’s not there yet either, so I’m scratching my head at the moment and wondering how to add another 5000 words and make it all click.  I’ve only got a week before I go away again (Scotland this time) and then I’ll have to start on the short story, but maybe a bit of adrenalin is what I need to get to get to grips with it all …