What a difference a day makes…

Back in Italy after trip to England. Hectic to say the least, especially last Monday – my day out in the Smoke.

Early morning train from Mistley via Manningtree to Ipswich then taxi to Ipswich Hospital to pick up new hearing aids. Taxi back to station to catch pre-booked train to Liverpool Street. Bus to St Paul’s, walk across Millennium Bridge for lunch with friend in member’s room at Tate Modern. Then to appointment with publicist in Clink Studios nearby about possibility of promoting my third novel, Dorek, hopefully in conjunction with first two novels – Zaira and Clarisse – which now form a trilogy. From there bus from London Bridge to King’s Cross to meet designer at King’s Place. Running late at this stage and we ended up waiting in different venues. Finally met up on canal side of Green & Fortune and went through first Pudding Press Godfrey title at table in sunshine. Niece (also in publishing) who works nearby came by for a quick chat and gave me copy of The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton. Then into Guardian building for packed out Master Class with Jay Rayner. All good fun and insightful stuff, not just about food writing but other topics such as the lack of funding for breakfasts clubs in primary schools and the absence of right-wing playwrights in political theatre. In second half we had to write ‘top line’ for staged interview he conducted with ‘hot & sticky pudding’ female tycoon. Mine was chosen amongst a few others but amazed my handwriting was decipherable. And now I can think of much better opening lines. Didn’t stay for drinks and got tube back to Liverpool Street to catch Norwich train and Roy Hudd was sitting opposite me. Too tired to attempt a conversation but it made me wonder where he lives in East Anglia. Got back here around midnight, stimulated but exhausted…

I am now inspired to write Nigel Farage – The Musical or Nigel, Get Your Gun or The Ginger Witch of Scot Free… or Andy Pandy, Rebekah and David…