The Summer of Secrets (3 page)

‘Don't cry,' said Harriet, squeezing his hand.

‘She would be upset about the dust,' he said, blinking back the tears.

‘What will you do, Danny?' said Harriet. ‘What will you do now that you're all alone?'

In years to come Danny would marry Harriet. For their honeymoon, they would journey to Mexico, their lives ahead of them.

When did you decide you wanted to become a writer?

I have never really considered doing anything else. I wrote my first romance when I was about nine or ten, I distinctly remember that I didn't want to write the word ‘bra' so my heroine was wearing a bikini before she got seduced by a piano player and I was terrified that my mum would find my notebook. I was reading a lot of
Sweet Dreams
and
Sweet Valley High
at the time. I studied screenwriting at university, then I was a writer's agent for a while. The epiphany moment, when I decided to knuckle down and write a complete novel, was making peace with the fact that I prefer Jackie Collins to Anna Karenina, and realising that was what I should write.

What inspired you to set your book in Mexico?

I love Mexico, I have been there a number of times and one day I hope to retire there. It's a passionate, fun-loving country that gets a lot of bad press. A couple of years ago we went to Isla Mujeres, a perfect little sleepy Caribbean island just twenty minutes away from crazy Cancun. On the wild eastern shore there is a rock that proudly declares itself to be the most easterly point in Mexico, looking out over the sea there it is impossible not to think up stories.

What's your favourite Mexican drink?

La Paloma. There are probably many variations but it is essentially tequila and grapefruit over ice. I like a pink paloma myself.

Which of the three girls in THE SUMMER OF SECRETS do you most resemble?

I would like to be most like Claudia, I think she is very sweet and kind. But I am not. I would also like to think I have Megan's sense of adventure. But maybe I am most like Esmé - unpredictable and ambitious. Like Esmé I couldn't wait to leave my hometown, but also like Esmé I have come home. I have a feeling that my family would agree I have her sharp mouth.

Where would be your top destination for a summer break?

I love Krakow in the summer. It is incredibly warm and the weather stays settled for months because it is a thousand miles from any coast. The enormous central square has plenty of bars and good restaurants, and I could sit there quite happily all day watching the world go by. At night the hidden courtyards and outdoor grills are well worth exploring. Just follow the music.

Which song is on repeat on your iPod?

My next book is set in America, on the road, and I have playlist that incorporates all the tunes that make me think of my travels there, from Little Fluffy Clouds to Jimmy Buffet. The first time I went to New York TLC's Waterfall was playing everywhere so that's on there, lots of country too. I like the sincerity of country and western music. Only in America could ‘Jesus Take the Wheel' sell two million copies.

Pinterest or Tumblr?

I lurk around on Pinterest, but I'm not sure that I'm doing it right? I love spoof sites on Tumblr like ‘Suri's Burn Book' and ‘Hillary's texts'.

Which book do you wish you'd written?

I wish I had finished the one I am writing right now.