Love in Lockdown
Page 29
Lockdown was an extraordinary experience, totally different for each and every one of us but I have tried to give a few tiny snapshots of how some things were, within a fictional framework. Jack and Sophia’s story is set within the timeframe of actual lockdown, they virtually meet in a more than imperfect situation where everything around them is crumbling, all the familiar has become unfamiliar and yet in spite of their setbacks, both emotionally and physically they make it out the other side, still smiling. The idea of love conquering all is pretty universal and particularly pertinent right now in a world divided by a pandemic and disagreement, climate change and destruction. I really hope Love in Lockdown might give everyone a much-needed shot of optimism and a chance to believe that in the end if we all pull together, everything will be okay.
The minor characters in the book just came along as they so often do, making themselves known in their own unique ways. Gradually, a sense of community arose and I think that’s one of the things to take away from lockdown, at times it brought out the best in so many people. There was a real wartime spirit, wonderful stories of how far people went to help others, delivering food to elderly neighbours or those who were shielding and you cannot fail to be uplifted by these amazing selfless acts of kindness.
The children also invited themselves to the story and I hope their scenes might bring a lighter note and emphasise the importance of talking about feelings and emotions with young people, as well as practising mindfulness and taking time out to enjoy the small shiny things in life.
I would not have been able to create this book, especially in so short a time, without the help of some total superwomen, especially Tilda McDonald, my editor. It has been an absolute privilege working with her, having the same vision for the story. Thanks to Sabah Khan, my fabulous publicist, and also to the amazing Helena Newton, Ellie Pilcher, Bethany Wickington and Catriona Beamish. Many thanks must also go to Kate Nash from The Kate Nash Literary Agency.
I would like to give a huge thank you to my parents for their never-ending belief in me and for their constant support throughout everything. It’s been incredibly tough, as many others are finding, to be so often distanced from them, but in spite of this as always they have encouraged me to keep going and I am extremely grateful to them for instilling in me such a great love of reading as well as writing in the first place. Their acceptance of these difficult times, as well as their constant loving support throughout the children’s illnesses and their incredible ability to just get on with it, fills me with immense admiration.
Loads of love and thanks go to my husband, Keith. He has been really supportive; I have so often shut myself away, scribbling this book and it’s not easy having someone talking endlessly about fictional characters and their problems! He has even become pretty handy around the kitchen, for which I am really grateful – this is a role I think he may have to take on full time!
Huge thanks to my wonderful girls; Marianne, Grace, Madeleine and Francesca. Lockdown was tough for all of you, I know, but we got through it and even managed to have some laughs as well as some good times at home (even though I was writing a lot of the time!). Thanks for being so patient about it.
I’ve borrowed from Marianne’s experience as she was apart from me in her residential college for most of lockdown; it was such a long time and so tough not being able to see her, so I felt it was really important to include the plight of those with autism who found the restrictions particularly difficult, as well as anyone who for whatever reason was separated from those they love throughout lockdown.
Aside from her autism – which was only diagnosed in the past couple of years, so often the case with girls – Marianne was born with kidney disease. I know how difficult it has been for her to have endless medical procedures and to feel different from others so I hope I have managed to convey this concept in Jack’s character, in his struggle to fit in and eventual realization that he doesn’t need to run away from his health condition, he can just be himself.
As for Sophia’s epilepsy, I must thank Madeleine for her expertise on this; she has suffered from the condition for the past couple of years. It was a sudden development when she was fourteen, so I felt it was really important to show how challenging it can be to cope with the changes a chronic illness can create when it happens out of the blue. I think there are a lot of preconceptions about epilepsy that once seizures are under control, everything is wonderful, but it really isn’t that simple and even when they do work, the meds can have unpleasant side effects. I must add that epilepsy can vary greatly so although Sophia is lucky that her seizures are under control in the story, others may find the condition can make every day a challenge.
I’d like to thank Grace so very much, for being the first person to read my manuscript, for her honest feedback and encouragement and her brilliant beta reader/editorial skills. Also for putting up with my constant obsession with talking about the book and its ins and outs at all hours of the day and night!
Thanks go to Francesca for agreeing to miss out on bike rides and chances to go out for much of the summer. I hope you enjoy the book and think it was worth it taking up most of my time.
Also no book about lockdown would be complete without a huge thank you to all the key workers who worked tirelessly to keep things going, especially medical staff on the frontline, but also other hospital workers, doctors, bus drivers, shop workers, teachers and to all the other heroes, we owe you so much so thank you.
Finally, thank you to all my lovely readers, for buying this book. I hope it has made you smile, as well as perhaps shedding a few tears and given you a small pocket of sunshine, even if it is only for a while.
About the Author
Chloe James is a pseudonym for Fiona Woodifield, who is the author of The Jane Austen Dating Agency.
About the Publisher
Australia
HarperCollins Publishers Australia Pty. Ltd.
Level 13, 201 Elizabeth Street
Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
www.harpercollins.com.au
Canada
HarperCollins Canada
Bay Adelaide Centre, East Tower
22 Adelaide Street West, 41st Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5H 4E3, Canada
www.harpercollins.ca
India
HarperCollins India
A 75, Sector 57
Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201 301, India
www.harpercollins.co.in
New Zealand
HarperCollins Publishers New Zealand
Unit D1, 63 Apollo Drive
Rosedale 0632
Auckland, New Zealand
www.harpercollins.co.nz
United Kingdom
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
1 London Bridge Street
London SE1 9GF, UK
www.harpercollins.co.uk
United States
HarperCollins Publishers Inc.
195 Broadway
New York, NY 10007
www.harpercollins.com