Being an author is generally a fairly solitary job – 99% of my work involves sitting in a study by myself, trying not to tear my hair out as I work out some plot twist or other. So on those rare occasions when I’m let out for good behaviour, I tend to have a jolly nice time. Yesterday was one such occasion – the Liverpool Echo Mum of the Year event.
It was a wonderful day – full of inspiring stories, such as that of the winner Lyndsey Crowder, who discovered she had cancer when 8 weeks pregnant. Despite doctors telling her she may have to have a termination, she was determined to continue with the pregnancy, during which she endured a bone marrow transplant and radiotherapy. Her daughter was born fit and healthy at 34 weeks and, three years later, Lyndsey is back at work for the Ambulance Service and in remission. As you can imagine, it was a fairly weepy day.
I was sat next to former Atomic Kitten and Masterchef winner Liz McLarnon and the two of us got through several packs of tissues (and nearly lost a set of eyelashes!) during the course of the event.
I’d never met Liz before and, given that lots of people you meet in real life are nothing like they appear on TV, I feel duty bound to report that she’s one of the loveliest people you could meet; extremely down-to-earth, very bright, and with a fabulous sense of humour. She also loves her chick lit – I think she should consider Mastermind with it as her specialist subject next time.
Jane Costello, actress Ann-Marie Davies, Masterchef winner Liz McLarnon and actress Suzanne Collins
