Well, it was a long, hot summer but I made sure I did a couple of cool things (other than allow Felix to drench me with the hosepipe). Andy turned 40 and we had a fabulous weekend in Stockholm. We went to see the Rolling Stones and were privileged to partake of the whole VIP/ backstage experience. Though I don’t do name-dropping, suffice it to say, we met some lovely people and enjoyed a spectacular concert, strutting our funky stuff alongside a great Swedish audience. What a gorgeous city. We hope to return in the winter to experience a very different side of it – dog-sleds and all.
Pip was launched on August 7th and I’ve posted up some photos from the party. It was a sultry evening during that extreme hot spell so it was cool in every sense of the word to have the party up on the roof-deck of Soho House. I hasten to add that I went to bed very late and awoke with a cracking headache. In the room downstairs was a party for the Chelsea Players. We wondered whether the Chelsea Players might have been some Acapela music troupe. Or perhaps a group of progressive mime artists or backgammon fanatics We then realised they were footballers. And we felt just a little smug that they were cooped up and sweltering downstairs while we all wafted about on the roof… Anyway, I’m an Arsenal girl, myself…
Also in August we went to see the Stones (again) backstage (again). They were supported by the stupendous Tim Burgess whose first solo album I implore you all to buy.
In September, I was burgled of every single piece of jewellery I’ve ever owned over my 35 years. Much of it belonged to my grandmas – Grandma Jeannette I lost just before I was pregnant with Felix. Grandma Rennie died 5 days after the burglary. The police were useless – it happened during the day when the house had been empty for just 30 mins. We reckon I must have disturbed them. The chain was on the front door but I was able to unhook it from the outside. Then I saw the back door broken. I phoned 999 to report it and was scared that they might still be upstairs. This was at 2 pm. The police finally came at 9 a.m the following morning. My upset phonecall later in the day to ask where they were was met with “Don’t raise your voice to me, lady”. Charming. They’re too busy stopping motorists for doing 35 mph in a 30 mph zone… Even when they took a statement, they weren’t remotely interested in my offer to illustrate certain items stolen. Anyway, what’s the point in dwelling on it – and what’s the point in even hoping they’ll recover my belongings.
Grandma died on 15th September. She was an amazing women and a huge character. She had confounded all the specialists at the Royal Free Hospital by coming back from the brink of death 9 times over the last 15 months. She’d go into complete heart failure – and would then sit up and ask for a cup of tea or chastise the Resus team for losing her dentures whilst trying to save her… Up until a year or so ago, she’d take the bus from north London all the way to Stepney “to visit the elderly” – in a home where they were mostly at least a decade younger than Grandma! We all had a lovely extra 15 months with her – it was special too that she got to know her great-granddaughter, Baby Georgia. Felix adored her – I’d often make them both the same supper – sausage, peas and chips (all organic, I hasten to add) and ketchup and they’d sit and munch together, best of friends. I’ll miss her very much.
I have started writing the seventh novel – and am enjoying myself already. The key players are Alice Heggarty, Thea Luckmore, Mark Sinclair and Saul Mundy – but that’s all I’m giving you for now…! The current competition will close 30th November – so see if you can answer that very very difficult question… I’ll post up more news soon – but send my best wishes and gratitude to all of you – thanks, as ever, for your tremendous support.

Tags | McCabes, Pip