I had some great news the other day.
I was told I had won the New Romantics' Free Love For A Year competition
I had almost forgotten about the story which I wrote way back in March.
I was on the train heading to the Writers In Prison Network when I decided to have a go.
The task was to describe your most romantic moment in 100 words.
Several drafts later here's what I was left with.
The Girl With The Bike With A Basket
“Why choose that film?” asks my husband.
“Because the girl has a bike with a basket – I've always dreamt of riding one.”
Two weeks later it’s my birthday; but in these cash-strapped times I’m not expecting much.
At daybreak he leads me to our freezing garage. I struggle to focus through the hazy half-light and debris of a four-child family.
Then I see it.
Over the past fortnight he’s spent every spare minute restoring an old skipped bike before re-spraying it my favourite colour.
Best of all, attached to the sparkling silver handlebars is a brand new wicker basket.
And here's the bike!
The prize is a selection of romantic novels for a year.
The other day I received a wonderful package of three books - a hardback copy of The Secret Shoppers Revenge by Kate Harrison; The Bride Hunter by Amy Appleton and The Self-Preservation Society by Kate Harrison.
I will have a parcel every other month for a year.
The trouble is I will be too busy reading to write!
Today is supposed to be the last day of the current heatwave and we will be back to seasonal temperatures tomorrow.
I am making the most of the warm weather by wearing this halter neck dress from Primark which I last wore here.
I wore:
Dress - Primark
Shoes - River Island
Sunglasses - Tesco
Necklace - Top Shop
Bracelet - as yesterday.
