What limited plans I had this past week have been put on hold further by the “Beast from the East” and I find myself marooned at my Mum’s house, ensuring her Carers can gain access to her as the Key safe box has frozen solid. The snow looks lovely, but it isn’t the main cause for concern, it is the thick ice which has turned her back garden and driveway into an episode of “Dancing on Ice” without the spangle or glitter. I don’t want to end up like poor Denise Van Outen with my arm in a sling. Hopefully, I can gingerly drive myself into Maidstone by Friday.
Book 4 in The Jessie Wilder series of books, “Coming of Age” is on schedule to be published in mid-March on Amazon, and I found it a real challenge to write as it covered a number of subjects I have never experienced. I am lucky enough to have an ex-copper who advises me on any questions arising regarding the Police (you know who you are, Bob!). Last time we spoke we had a wonderful chat about “Shoot to kill” policies and SWAT teams in general. If I do make any deviations from reality, I apologise now, I can assure you it was not intended, but as you must realise this is a work of fiction.
Towards the end of the book, Jessie travels along the shore of the lake from Lausanne to Vevey, to a chocolate factory, where the climax of the book takes place. I have been on that journey, and the French snow-capped mountains loom heavily across the lake to your righthand side and, as if the beauty of the views were not enough, when you arrive in Vevey it is dominated by its famous chocolate factory. On a sunny day in June, you could almost think you can smell the chocolate in the air - I was in Heaven.