As I write, Tongue in Cheek is a fortnight away from publication and I have just received two cardboard boxes of advance copies that bruise my shins ever time I cross the hallway. They will soon be distributed amongst friends and family, who very loyally read my books whenever they come out, even those who find the sex scenes highly embarrassing and secretly far prefer Ruth Rendell.

I’m currently plotting away at the next novel – provisionally entitled Going, Going Gone – about a treasure hunt that takes place in the Oddlode Valley, with a huge cash prize. When I came up with the idea, I hadn’t anticipated how complicated it would be to weave a plot around a set of cryptic clues. I now lie awake at night thinking up ever-more complicated riddles which not only guide my characters towards the treasure, but also involve them in one another’s lives and loves. It might be something of a hair-tearing challenge, but it’s great fun, particularly revisiting favourite characters from the previous books.

At home, we’re awaiting the birth of a foal, which is causing even more sleepless nights and excitement. My lovely liver chestnut mare, Flossie, is just weeks away from foaling, and the poor love is the size of a whale. I will soon have CCTV set up in my office, so that as the big day approaches I can stay up at night writing whilst keeping a close eye on her. No doubt there will be a lot of distracted spelling errors in the first draft of GGG, although I promise I will try to correct them all before it ever goes to print.

Finally, I have to say a big thank you to all those of you who have taken the time to email me from this website. I had no idea I would receive so many messages, full of news and views and some very kind comments. I really appreciate hearing from readers. It’s the best incentive a writer could get to hurry u

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