I took this photo on the day I met Hilary Mantel. It was at Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival, where I was appearing with my debut novel TESTAMENT. Hilary is my favourite writer & The Wolf Hall trilogy was instrumental in my writing process for A WILD & TRUE RELATION, which I was working on at the time. I attended Hilary’s masterclass at the festival, and at the end of the day she said I’d been luminous, though I hadn’t done anything – it was so kind, it gave me the confidence to hand her my novel. When an email from her arrived a few weeks later I squeezed my eyes shut in case it wasn’t true. That began an exchange of letters that meant so much to me. Hilary was endlessly supportive, wise, generous, insightful, wickedly funny. The first to congratulate, listen, advise, cheer. And open about her own process and experiences. I was so thrilled to share A WILD & TRUE RELATION with Hilary but never expected her to read it. When she did, and sent such kind words for the cover, her generosity made me cry. Those words take on new meaning for me now. I am so grateful for her light, and miss her already. I reflected on her generosity in my latest newsletter from girl with the golden pen – you can read for free by tapping the link in my bio. The world has lost a great power of literature and language, and an endless heart. I also wrote a few words on our return to Bath. We lived in the Georgian city for 5 years. I thought it might be bittersweet to return but it was pure joy. Thank you to @mrbsemporium AKA our old living room for the fabulous #doubleornothing event & letting me add another signed tag to the pen ceiling! 🖊And huge thanks to the wonderful booksellers @toppingsbath & @waterstonesbath for having me in to sign Double or Nothing & drop off these gorgeous #wildandtrue proofs 📚 It was so nice going back to our favourite spots – plus we visited our old front door 🚪 It filled my heart with joy ❤️ But couldn’t the junk shop nextdoor have turned into a fancy Italian design studio while we lived there?? @ianflemings007 @harperfiction @viragopress @celestewb