by Kitty Wilson
‘Rory, sometimes you talk too much.’ I lean forward and touch my lips to his just as the first boing of twelve strikes, but for me right now, right here, the New Year is not uppermost in my mind. The man who has closed the distance between us is returning my kiss and making me feel very, very squirmy indeed. I love this man and I love his dreams of our future together. There is nothing in the world I could want more than to have him by my side for ever.
Who would have thought it all those years ago? Rory Walters is my perfect man.
Acknowledgments
I loved writing this book. Belle and Rory have been sitting on my shoulder and demanding I write about them for a while now so it’s great to have been able to tell their story, it really was one of those that grew legs and ran away with itself, so there’s an argument that Belle took over and wrote this one, but I certainly enjoyed the ride.
However, regardless of who was actually in charge, none of it would have been possible had it not been for my agent, Hayley Steed, who fully supported my plan to write a novel where each chapter is one day of December and a true celebration of all things Christmassy. She is a wonderful cheerleader, and I am very grateful that I have her.
This is my first book that has not been part of the The Cornish Village School series and was written especially for One More Chapter, my new publisher. I landed on my feet with my editor, Charlotte Ledger, who has been absolutely fantastic every step of the way. So a huge thank you to her for being welcoming, supportive, thorough and generally fabulous. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.
Because I had been planning this book for a while, I managed to get out in November/December 2019 and scour Bristol and Bath for Christmassy things that Belle and Rory could do together as their romance developed and I am so grateful that I did. I love these two cities and had no shortage of things to write about. My partner and I learnt the St Bernard’s Waltz at Tyntesfield and I went on their horse and carriage ride. If you want to immerse yourself in a Victorian Christmas, Tyntesfield House is definitely the place to do it. I also dragged my partner to the SS Brunel for an improv theatre evening, so much fun, where just like Belle I hid myself behind a pillar so I didn’t have to participate.
One of my best friends in the world, Janette (who this book is dedicated to), let me use her experience of breast cancer when I was writing Alison and put up with endless video chats where I asked question after question about a truly harrowing time to make sure that what I wrote was as accurate as could be. I hope that I have handled it sensitively and that by using the real-life story of someone I love deeply I have managed to avoid causing offence to anyone who has been touched by this dreadful, dreadful disease. Obviously, any mistakes are entirely my own.
I’d like to say thank you to Scott, who also put up with a barrage of questions to make sure that the signs of Nick’s silent heart attack were authentic. Again, any errors are because of my inability to understand anything science-y and my own responsibility. And a shout out to the lovely Barbie, who let me steal her surname because it so beautifully suited my character.
Then there is Jane Cable, my writing buddy and fellow OMC author, who checks in every day and helps me iron out niggles, congratulates me on successes and cheers me along. She is a thoroughly wise woman, and I am grateful to her daily.
And finally, a huge thank you to my family. My children, who make me as proud as any parent can be. Namdi, who good-naturedly endured me dragging him to Christmas events under the guise of research. And to my own parents for not being as horrific as Nick and Cyndi and supporting everything I have ever done. Also, one final mention for my late Great Aunty Kit, whose name I stole at the start of my writing career and who instilled a lifelong love of Shakespeare that has never left me.
Thank you for reading…
We hope you enjoyed Every Day in December!
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Be sure to follow Kitty Wilson on Twitter @KittyWilson23 and check out her website at www.kittywilson.co.uk for all the updates on her latest work.
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Happy reading!
Kitty Wilson lived in Cornwall for twenty-five years. Recently she has moved to Bristol, but only for love and on the understanding that she and her partner will be returning to Cornwall to live very soon. She spends most of her time welded to the keyboard, dreaming of the beach or bombing back down the motorway for a quick visit! She has a penchant for very loud music, equally loud dresses and romantic heroines who speak their mind.
www.kittywilson.co.uk
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