Lily on the left, with her sister Rosie

Lily, the seventh of Polly and Alb’s eight children, is another character who some might feel could have been dispensed with. She remains, not just because I did not want a large gap in the run of children, nor because I wanted to make sure that all eight children were remembered. Lily has a particular role to play, one which I don’t want to mention, in case it spoils the book. Some readers may not even spot my use of her in this way but to me, she was a vital to a certain section of Barefoot on the Cobbles.

Lily was born in Clovelly on 3 February 1911, exactly two years before her younger sister Rosie. I don’t want to say too much about her history but she spent her life in Clovelly, married and had one child.

‘ ‘Me and Lily, we’re going to the treat up at the Court tomorrow,’ Rosie said. ‘There’s to be tea and decorations and a big tree and presents and all.’ ‘

Barefoot on the Cobbles will be published on 17 November 2018. More information about the novel can be found here. Copies will be available at various events in the weeks following the launch or can be pre-ordered from Blue Poppy Publishing or the author. Kindle editions can be pre-ordered for the UK and also on Amazon.com.