Blue Moon (49 page)

‘He’s been practising for ages, so that he could do this for you,’ Bea said quietly as Ruby gaped in astonishment. ‘We’ve all been sworn to secrecy – even May.’

Her little sister looked up at Ruby, her face shining. Tears welled in Ruby’s eyes. Then she heard the pianist strike up ‘Happy Birthday’, and every eye in the restaurant was upon her. When Jim finally stood right in front of her, everybody began to clap spontaneously.

‘Bravo, Jim!’ cried Rex.

‘Happy birthday, darling,’ said Jim, handing Bea his walking sticks. He held out a brightly coloured box. ‘I hope you like your present.’

Ruby knew whatever he’d given her in the box would be lovely, but the best present in the world was seeing him walking towards her. Her blue moon had just turned to gold.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Firstly, I would like to thank Bettina Sands, who kindly checked the German text in the story. Thanks Bettina, you’re a star! I should also like to thank my editors, Caroline Hogg and Victoria Hughes-Williams, for their skilful talents and, most of all, for their encouragement. The genuine stuff – not just flattery – is like gold dust to a writer, and they have been very generous. Also, I can’t miss an opportunity to thank my agent, Juliet Burton. I’m running out of clichés with which to thank her, but she has helped to make this journey a truly enjoyable one.

TURN THE PAGE FOR A Q&A WITH AUTHOR PAM WEAVER

AUTHOR Q&A

1. When did you first become an author?

My first book was published in 2011.

2. Where did the idea for
Blue Moon
come from?

That’s a hard question to answer. There are several story lines in the book so I’ll tackle one to answer this question. Worthing has a reputation as a place where not much happens but I have discovered that this is far from the case. Oswald Mosley, admirer and friend of Adolf Hitler, headed up a fascist movement which gained popularity in the early thirties. I discovered that there was not one but two HQ’s in Worthing so I asked myself ‘What if …?’ What if a family member joined the Blackshirts? What if that decision divided the family? What if, over time, that family member’s belief in Oswald’s idea of utopia began to crumble? And so part of the story of
Blue Moon
began to evolve.

3. Do you have a favourite scene in
Blue Moon
?

I love to weave a little mystery into a story – family secrets and thoughts of revenge and murder – so my favourite scene has to be when Ruby discovers that her mother … ah, but if I told you I might spoil the surprise!

4. Do you do any research for your novels?

I do loads of it! My bookshelves are lined with autobiographies and books about the war years and the austerity years. I go to the reference library and read the newspapers of the day. I look at old magazines and I talk to elderly neighbours who have lived in Worthing all their lives. I attend lectures on Worthing’s history and try to soak up all that I can.

5. Is there a particular place where you like to write?

I write in my office, at the kitchen table and in the summer, outside in the garden. My favourite place is wherever the mood takes me.

6. Why do you set your books in Sussex?

I met and married a Sussex lad and came to live here. Over the years, I have fallen in love with this beautiful county.

7. What are your favourite things about living in Sussex?

Sussex cream teas! Seriously, there are so many beautiful places in Sussex. We have the sea and unspoiled beaches, the Downs to the north, high places such as Highdown Hill and Cisbury Ring where we can get great views, rolling hills and sheep, castles and stately homes. All that and a Sussex cream tea … who could want more?

8. Which authors have inspired you?

Daphne Du Maurier, Jean Plaidy, JoJo Moyes and Philippa Gregory.

9. Are you writing a new novel at the moment?

Yes I am. Its working title is
These Foolish Things
and it is a sequel to
Blue Moon
, taking Ruby through the war years.

10. What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

It took me sixteen years to become an author. During that time, I read, I did my best to soak up every bit of good advice, I read some more and I went to writer’s days whenever possible. If I came across a competition I had a go, and then I read my critique and the winning story. I would say if you want to write,
just do it
and get all the help you can along the way. If an athlete has to train and learn how to cope with criticism and failure, so does the writer. As with any journey, there will be dips in the road as well as high hills – enjoy the ride, it’ll be worth it in the end!

If you enjoyed
Blue Moon
, look out
for Pam Weaver’s first novella available
in ebook for Christmas 2015

EMILY’S CHRISTMAS WISH

Can a wish come true?

Emily Farrent should be looking forward to Christmas. Instead she lies petrified under her bed, fearful for her life. Following a blood-curdling scream, her father is missing and her mother is fighting for her life. All little Emily knows is that she will have to escape, far far away …

Ushered away from the horrendous scene at her family home, she is driven to the local home for unwanted children. Since the attack, she hasn’t spoken a word and now the local children are making her life a living hell. The poor little mite doesn’t even know whether her parents are alive, but she has to learn that life can be tough.

With her parents missing, a long-lost aunt is the only hope she has. Will little Emily ever be united with her family again? Or will she be alone for Christmas?

Praise for Pam Weaver

‘What a terrific read – saga fans everywhere will love it and be asking for more from this talented author’

Annie Groves

‘An engaging and gripping post-war saga … a hardhitting story of female friendship tested against the odds’

Take a Break

‘A heartrending story about mothers and daughters’

Kitty Neale

‘Pam Weaver presents us with a real page-turner – with richly drawn characters and a clever plot’

Caring 4 Sussex

‘The characters are so richly drawn and authentic that they pull the reader along through the story effortlessly. This book is a real page-turner, which I enjoyed very much’

Anne Bennett

‘An uplifting memoir told with real honesty’

Yours

First published 2015 by Pan Books
This electronic edition published 2015 by Pan Books
an imprint of Pan Macmillan
20 New Wharf Road, London N1 9RR
Associated companies throughout the world
www.panmacmillan.com

ISBN 978-1-4472-7587-9

Copyright © Pam Weaver 2015

The right of Pam Weaver to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

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A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

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