A Q&A WITH SALLY JENKINS

Briefly introduce yourself.

Sally loves writing about mature characters with a lifetime of emotional baggage; characters who are searching for, and richly deserve, a happy-ever-after. Words and stories are Sally’s lifeblood. She ran a book group for eleven years, is a Shared Reading group leader for The Reader charity and has worked as a library assistant. Outside of her bookish world, she is a Women’s Institute member and a church bell ringer. She also enjoys yoga, walking and swimming.

Find out more about Sally and follow her at: https://linktr.ee/SallySJenkins7

What inspired Michelle’s journey from grief to rediscovering love and self-worth?​

I wanted to write about the real-life baggage that encumbers so many of us as we teeter on the edge of retirement. The grief might relate to a death or it may be connected to a failed marriage, broken friendship or a fractured family. At such times, the doubts and weaknesses that we were previously strong enough to push away are overwhelming and it can be difficult to rebuild our self-worth and allow ourselves to take the risk of loving someone again — but that is our path to finding happiness again.

Which scene made you feel most emotional while writing Michelle’s story?​

At Michelle’s lowest point she fears that Luke has rejected her and Doug’s friendship is lost, plus her relationship with her daughter is not going well.  It was emotionally draining to be inside Michelle’s head at this point and phrasing her thoughts for others to read.

I also found myself blinking back tears when creating some of Nellie’s (Michelle’s mother) diary entries. These were written as a series of ‘letters’ at the end of the 1960s to her late husband. After the death of Michelle’s father, Nellie was forced to be mother, father and breadwinner to support her two young children.

If Michelle had to give her younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Mothers strive to give their children what they see as the best possible start in life. Sometimes they mistakenly push for a path which doesn’t align with their child’s aspirations. This does not make the child ‘a disappointment’ nor does it lessen the maternal love. The latter will always be there.

What do you hope readers take away about love and self-worth from this book?

Don’t worry about the opinions of other people — that only breeds self-doubt. Love and self-worth are best discovered by taking control, making your own decisions and being considerate of others.

​If this story were adapted for TV, who would you cast as Michelle, Doug and Luke?​

Estate agent and wannabe MP Luke would have to be played by Hugh Grant — they share the same enticing smile! Nicola Walker, an actor with huge emotional depth rather than surface glamour, would make a great Michelle. And the American Better Call Saul actor Bob Odenkirk fits my image of the hunky ex-rugby player Doug!