OK, I’ll admit right now that I didn’t get into that red dress for my graduation, in spite of squandering a fortune on gym fees and even a personal trainer for a few sessions. All to no avail, though, so I had to go out and buy new black dress instead (well, rude not to, really). Here is picture of me looking extremely smug in my doctoral bonnet, and if you’re wondering why I’m holding the cardboard roll that is masquerading as my PhD at an odd angle, it’s because I was trying to hide the fact that I hadn’t had time to do my nails. I had a wonderful day, and was made much of by those I love most in the world. It did feel a momentous occasion, marking the end of nine years’ work on my thesis. Funding a PhD was the reason I started writing romance in the first place, so it did work out … although both the writing and the research took rather longer than I bargained for!

Anyway, the thesis is finished now – for those of you interested, it was on the street in late medieval and early modern York - and I am now enjoying being able to answer the eternal ‘Is that Mrs or Miss?’ question with ‘well, actually, it’s Dr,’ which is very satisfying, even if I do then have to subsequently spend (apologies to those of you who hate split infinitives!) a lot of time explaining that no, I’m not a medical doctor so there’s no point asking me about that twinge in your back.

All in all, I am very pleased with myself at the moment. I finished my most recent book at one o’clock this morning, so that has gone off to my editor. It was far too long, and I had to spend all of Friday cutting the equivalent of a whole chapter. When I read it through, the story was too much rambling, so I am hoping it’s tighter now, although I’m a bit nervous in case I’ve managed to cut out some vital pieces of information at the same time. Along with the slashing and burning, I also decided to change several names for various reasons. I promised the tiler who did such a great job on my kitchen that I would name a character after him, so the heroine’s ex is now called Paul. As the character is a suave city type with a natty line in Saville Row suits, a wide knowledge of the arts and expensive tastes in wine, and the real Paul is so obsessed with football that he actually cried when England lost in the last World Cup (I hope he won’t mind me telling you this!) I did laugh a few times as I was reading through the final manuscript!

I have no idea at this stage if the book is any good or not. Sometimes it’s quite a surprise (and not always a nice one!) when I read the proofs a few months later, and I always vow then to spend more time rereading the manuscript before it goes off (and then forget as I panic about the next deadline). But this deadline is met – phew! - so can now go off on my holidays with a clear conscience. I’ll be away most of August, one way or another, but will be back to start work on another book in September. See you then, I hope.