Last week I finished the final checks on my new book and I as I pressed ‘send’, pinging my beloved word-baby back to my editor, I was struck with two unexpected emotions.

The first was sheer panic. This is the fourth work of fiction I will publish so I am used to this but it never seems to lessen. My panic stems from the worry that

a) it is crap and all readers will hate it,

b) I have left a litany of typos for reviewers to pounce upon and use as mean review ammunition and

c) I have accidentally and inexplicably typed a big swear word during a key moment in the action.

Yes, I am aware that I think, worry and fantasise too much. I think it comes with the job.

The other, more unexpected emotion was sadness. I suddenly realised how much I am going to miss Cat Nightingale. I have lived with this character for the best part of a year. I gave birth to her (okay, bit weird – let’s say I dreamt her up), got to know her and actually, got to love her too. We had a laugh, shed a good many tears and put a few things in order.

So it feels strange that I won’t be hanging out with her anymore, working out what she’ll say or do next and watching how she’ll sort those conundrums and conflicts I threw her way. I miss her but I know it’s time for her be unleashed on the world. I’ve done my bit and it’s time for other people to read and hopefully enjoy her story.

I am therefore delighted to announce that Cat Nightingale will be with you soon. Her story is told in Life or Something Like It, which will be published by Carina on 13^th July.

I hope you’ll grow to love her as much as I do.