What a fun launch it was in London. I am so grateful to Hill House for allowing me to use Founders Hall.
It was the best way to introduce Oscar the Italian Cat to the world. I felt so lucky to have so many people there who are so important to me and have been so important in my writing journey.
Reading to Hill House children meant everything to me and I was so grateful that other people came too!
I was so nervous beforehand but it was an absolute joy from beginning to end. Thank you to those who made the effort to come!
Here is a copy of the speech I made at the launch:-
I hadn’t wanted to give a speech
But feel it is the only way to bring each
Person into the light who has helped me
On my journey to get to tonight.
Hill House was my refuge when the rest of life was tough,
A sanctuary of laughter though a 6:30am start was rough…
Aggie and Maude who’s kitchen it was in that I told them my plan for the stories to begin.
Shaun, who has been there through it all
A solid, stable, rock preventing any great fall.
Richard Townend for believing in me when I did not. For my sabbatical, this venue.. you have done such a lot.
My family, especially my mother, who have always been there for me
Without their love, patience and kindness who knows where I’d be.
Oscar, for the inspiration, getting lost all those year ago;
His legacy lives on and he stands to show
That in a world that belongs to us all
No one is too insignificant or small
To make it a brighter and better place
For all those in the animal and human race.
