Well, on February 4th 2003, Georgia Jeannette came flying into this world (I’m not exaggerating). I had one contraction at 9.30 pm. I went upstairs to hang out the washing. I had another contraction at 9.35 pm and after that I couldn’t speak, let alone stand upright to load the dishwasher! My brother arrived at 10 pm to look after Felix and we arrived at hospital with just under 20 minutes to go. My language was choice and colourful to say the least but no one seemed to mind! The lovely midwife (hullo Charlotte) kept me sane by cleverly pretending that Epidural Man was just round the corner. Actually, there was no time even for any gas-and-air, let alone something stronger. The yoga ball, my whale-music cd’s, my aromatherapy candle, my extremely expensive facial spritzer, didn’t even make it into the hospital! I can safely say I have now done the Natural Birth/ Earth Mother thing… In fact, when Georgia was born and Andy told me we had a daughter, I hadn’t a clue what he was on about. It had all happened so quickly I really didn’t have the chance to realize I was in labour – let alone that I now had my second child and was no longer pregnant! Our little girl is an absolute poppet – please indulge me putting so many photos of her on the website!
Felix adores her and refers to her as ‘Bebe Joo Jar’. When he came to visit in hospital he insisted on clambering into the little crib with her, pulling the sheet over them both and saying ‘Night Night’. Every morning he rushes in to see her and invariably brings her a Duplo brick or a piece of Brio track. My waking thought each day is what Georgia will wear – we have been showered with beautiful pressies in every shade of pink possible. Of course, we think she looks glorious in just her nappy.
When Georgia was six weeks old, Felix broke his leg. Playing with me. It was ghastly. I was lying flat on my stomach on his bedroom floor and he roly-poly-ed over me (one of his favourite games). He landed peculiarly and I heard a little click. He’d broken his right leg. 6 hours later, our little boy is on morphine, valium, paracetemol and ibuprofen with his leg in traction secured by 3 lbs of weights. He remained like that for a fortnight then went under anaesthetic to have a hip-spica cast fitted. This was a fibre-glass and plaster of paris monstrosity which started above his waist and went down to the knee of his good leg, down to the ankle of his bad leg with a pole between his legs. At least we could bring him home. He weighed a tonne and because there was only a tiny space left open for a newborn-size nappy, it wasn’t long before he started to whiff a bit too. He had his second birthday in his cast but throughout his ordeal he was calm and patient and simply got on with his life, slithering around our wooden floors on his tummy while we constructed increasingly complex Brio train-track routes for him to play with!
The cast came off after a month and then he had to teach himself to crawl and then walk again. It’s been fascinating to watch. He’s too young for physio, though we took him swimming every day when his cast was off. Rather than limp, he instinctively slowed his pace right down so he could walk evenly. It is now 6 weeks since the cast came off and he really is back to his old self. In fact, in the beautiful weather, he’s spent most of it stark naked in the garden slathered in Factor 50 watering my plants and himself with the hose.
I’ve seen the finished copies of Pip and if I say so myself, I think she looks lovely! She’ll be in the bookshops from August 7th. I’ve re-read a little and really enjoyed it… so I hope you will to. I can’t believe there are no more McCabe sisters for me to write about. I’ve lived with those girls for the last 4 years and I’m going to miss them so much. I’m already excited about my new novel which will feature the ups, downs, ins and outs of two best friends. I’ll start writing in September and hopefully you’ll have it within the year.
Socialising has been on hold somewhat, what with brand new Georgia and then poor old Felix but I did have a wonderful time at Fiona Walker‘s launch party for her fabulous new novel Lots of Love. Jessica Adams (how I LONG for her new book!) Jane Owen, Wendy Holden and Mike Gayle were there. We ate gorgeous melt in the mouth canapés, drank lots of fabulous pink drinks that changed my laugh to a manic cackle instantly, and the tables were strewn with heart-shaped chocs and those funny Loveheart sweets. I can’t wait for my launch part in August – I’m growing my hair because it’s certainly going to a night when I pack the kids off to my parents so I can let my hair down, drink colourful cocktails and do more manic cackling…
Well, I hope I haven’t bored you to sleep or hysteria. I’ll sign off now and go and drench Felix with the hose. Before I sign off, many of you have contacted me wondering if the sculptor in Fen was real or fictitious. Well, he was but a figment of my imagination! However, my research entitled me to many mind-blowing hours at the Musee Rodin in Paris (nicely tax-deductible too!)
I wish you all a glorious summer whether you’re going abroad or staying home. Please keep e.mailing me – I reply to everyone (apart from the absolute nutters…) and I love hearing from you.

Tags | Fen, McCabes, Pip