MALVERN LAUNCH OF THE WATER DOCTOR’S DAUGHTERS

I thought I’d write a  brief report on the official launch of The Water Doctor’s Daughters in Great Malvern.  Editor Des was supposed to do it, but he was still in recovery from an unfortunate incident in London [see end of article].

WELL, THE BIG DAY DAWNED AND….

Oh dear, there was a most  unseasonable and unexpected heavy fall of  snowl!  It was almost impossible to drive or walk around, especially as Malvern is so steep.

The atrocious weather conditions in Malvern! Goodness me!

I am tempted to believe  that the weather was Dr Marsden’s  way of getting his revenge on me…but I only wrote the truth!  (even though the local paper mistakenly reported that I had written a novel based on  the doctor’s  tragic  daughters and their governess, Mlle Doudet.) Mind you, conditions were ghastly  all over the UK so perhaps I’m being a bit fanciful.  There was a positive side to it too, as the town  looked  utterly magical…a true Christmas card scene (yes, yes, that’s a cliche). The famous Malvern Hills were covered in snow. They looked as though they were draped in wet, white sheets..just like the water-cure patients.   Naturally poor Rob was too busy and harassed to take pictures, but my friend Clare took this stunning photo of snow on early blossom.

Snow on Blossom, photographed by my friend Clare Nunns.

Fortunately there are  some hardy souls in  Malvern (must be something in the water!),  and they  braved the weather to  attend the launch at the Foley Arms Hotel, as did my  own band of loyal and lovely friends. Caroline and Bill drove all the way from the far west  of Wales before the worst of the  snow arrived.  Clare and  Des’s Godmother Yvonne came  from points  south of London. Cath  drove out from Maidenhead and Rita caught the train  from  Rugby.

Jackie was about to drive down from Birmingham until the snow   made it  utterly impossible, but  she posted  a sweet message on Facebook.

A snowbound Jackie sends a kind greeting!

THE EDITOR’S NEW CLOTHES

Yvonne’s friend  Maureen had  made  Editor Des a new outfit for the occasion and I must say he looked very warm and smart.  My friend Bill said he was in Manchester City’s colours but I prefer to think the  blue  represents  Chelsea. I also received countless  messages of congratulation and good wishes from  family and friends around the world. My sincere thanks to  everyone.  A fellow author called Mike told me to wear red knickers  for  good luck and promised  that he would too. Well it didn’t work as far the weather went Mike!  He later said that he should have worn them outside his trousers, like Superman.

Editor  Des in the outfit Maureen knitted especially for the occasion.

Here is the Morgan Room at the historic Foley Arms being set up. Many of the wealthy water-cure clients used to stay here.  It was very generous of the hotel to provide the venue free of charge. The event was hosted by the Malvern Book Co-operative and I must  thank  Helen and Dan for organizing everything. By the way, there should still be some signed copies of The Water Doctor’s Daughters in the  book shop at 2 St Ann’s Road. They also sell lovely homemade cakes and coffee!

Setting up ready for the launch.

One local  man arrived with a carton of eggs in his hand, which was a little disconcerting. He said he also had some tomatoes with him!  Another lady told me she had an apartment   in a house called  Abbotsfield, in Abbey Road. This was  where Dr Marsden moved to from Cotswold House  after he remarried in 1852.   His daughters Lucy, Rosa and  Emily came back to Abbotsfield  after their sister Marian  had died in Paris in  the summer of 1853.  It was in this house that 14 year old Lucy also died,  in September of the same year.

Yvonne was the first to sit down at the launch. She was minding Editor Des and was a bit agitated in case he  wandered off outside and got lost in the snow. He insisted on sitting on the window sill.

Godmother Vonnie with Editor Des.

My friend, local historian  and  author  Cora Weaver,  gave me a great introduction.  I wasn’t really  nervous during my own  talk,  but a bit inclined to digress!!  This will not surprise anyone who knows me.   I suspect the man with the eggs must have been sorely tempted  to hurl a couple towards the end.  Rob managed the PowerPoint presentation as best he could …given my verbal  hopping about!  Will have to tighten things up for my next author event at The Hive in Worcester on April 3rd, which is more formal and will focus on my research.

The author in full flight on the subject of Mlle Doudet’s greatest supporter, Julie Schwabe.

It was great day for me, despite the horrors of the weather. I  happily signed books and wished my darling mother could have been there, especially as the book is dedicated to her.

Signing a copy of The Water Doctor’s Daughters for Rita.

Unfortunately my friend Rita had to return home on the train after it  was all over, but  the rest of us had dinner together, with much chat and laughter.  There is to be a launch at Sydney’s  Ashfield Public library  when I get back  to Australia in June as the book will be released there in April.  Surely it won’t be snowing in New South Wales…will it??

STOP PRESS!

Psst- excuse me. Now that Pauline has finished raving on about the book, let me just quickly tell you what happened in London. Well we were staying at this hotel near the Tower of London, and when Pauline and Doctor Bob packed up to go home…THEY LEFT ME BEHIND!!  Can you believe it?? It was as if that great Shard of glass had pierced my heart.

The Tower of London contrasts wonderfully with The Shard!

And Pauline didn’t  even notice my absence until they were at South Kensington station, that’s ten stops away; TEN!  I was sobbing my eyes out until  finally I heard the door open but it wasn’t my  worried guardians…it was the cleaner! Well he was quite kind, but I was scared witless. He put me on his trolley and was wheeling me down the corridor when finally Dr Bob arrived…looking  really white around the gills. He had caught another train back to the Tower,  checked the room and found me gone. Well I hope he got a huge fright. My Godmother Vonnie  has threatened to report  both he and Pauline to the welfare people  for  un-BEAR-able carelessness but I don’t suppose anything will come of it. Anyway, I have said my piece and I feel better for getting it off my chest. My confidence has been severely shaken though. Can you understand why??