Novel #2 is set in upstate New York, in a fictional town based on a place where we have spent many summers working in the local summer stock theatre. While I have many memories, journal notes and photographs of the place, I never reckoned on setting a whole novel there, so didn’t note the background details that I think I need. Things like the sound of the insects at sunset, how quickly it gets dark, the names of the birds and plants, and the smells of things.

So that’s my excuse, anyway, for taking littleson out to New York for two weeks to visit many wonderful old friends who live either upstate or in NYC. Dear Mr Tax Man: it’s a research trip. I’m also meeting my New York agent for lunch next week, so it is even more so work. (I never thought I’d find myself saying ‘my New York agent’).

So I am writing this from the Hilton Garden Inn, which is situated in the most sewage-stinky part of Queens, but only half a mile from JFK. I thought we’d take a night to recover before the three hour drive upstate. So we’re jetlag-awake at 4am, both of us plugged into our electronic devices de choix, in our vast two double-bed, aircon bedroom, waiting for the buffet-breakfast and swimming-pool to open. I’m very glad I brought my PG Tips with me. Today, we drive north to stay with our lovely homeschooling friends who have a ‘camp’ by the river Delaware. I am going to be scribbling in my Moleskine all the time. I hope my friends don’t think it is an affectation to show off that I am a full time lady novelist. Honest, it’s work. Honest.