Rhys on Writing when Life is Difficult

 RHYS BOWEN:  The last weeks have been a time of extreme ups and downs for me. Not condusive to the serenity of a writer's life. On Valentine's Day my eldest grandson got married. It was a big event with loads of people coming into Phoenix. We had a rehearsal dinner the evening before, then ceremony and fabulous reception, then brunch and barbecue the next day. Everyone happy, everything going without a hitch. Just perfect, in fact, except that my husband John was not well enough to join in most of it.

Then a few days later John had a spectacular fall. He hit his head on the stone floor. The amount of blood looked like a crime scene. We spent six hours in emergency and now have so many follow up doctor visits that its hard to keep track of them all. It's hard to accept that he is gradually failing... he is 92 after all.  He's sleeping a lot and in constant back pain.

All of this makes writing hard. Not just because I'm now housekeeper and care giver but because it's hard to keep worry at bay. I know that Hallie, Julia and Hank have all been through this with their husbands. I am trying to be positive and caring and frankly it's exhausting!

I have a March 1 deadline on my next Royal Spyness book, called TO CROWN IT ALL and luckily I had finished apart from one final read through. I was about to send it off when I realized I hadn't mentioned the dogs throughout the book. Georgie and Darcy have two labs... naughty teenager labs. But I had failed to include them anywhere in the story. Dog loving readers would notice! And I'm sure that Georgie wouldn't be able to ignore them for a couple of weeks. So now I have to go back and see where they can make an appearance without slowing down the story.

This is one of my most plot-driven books so the writing is tight. It takes place around the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1937. Various people come to stay with Georgie at her lovely house. Georgie finds herself part of the coronation itself and Darcy is more than occupied trying to prevent hostile elements from spoiling the big day. Then there is Mummy who needs help. Lots going on and quite a lot of danger. 

I don't want to give away the most dramatic elements in the plot so I'll include a snippet that isn't too much of a spoiler:

My mother was standing in the middle of the foyer, looking around her with obvious satisfaction, while behind her stood a tall young man, his arms full of bags and cases. As I arrived Phipps staggered in with a large trunk.

                “Mummy!” I called.

                She opened her arms and rushed toward me. “My darling child. How wonderful to hold you in my arms again. You don’t know how much I’ve longed for this moment. Dreamed of it.”

                I found myself wondering if in fact my mother had changed her personality and had turned into a warm, effusive and motherly person.

                “it’s so lovely to see you too,” I said.

                “I’m so glad they let me come ahead of the rest of the delegation,” she said in a breathy voice.  “I pleaded that I had to see you and of course they agreed. And they very kindly sent Herr Grossauer to take care of me and make sure I got here safely.”

                My gaze turned to the man standing there. His expression was so cold, so arrogant, that it was quite clear he wasn’t any kind of servant or assistant.  He had been sent to keep an eye on my mother. She had a minder with her from the German government again, most probably from the secret police.

                “Oh, how nice,” I said. I went over to him and extended my hand. “Welcome, Herr Grossauer. I am Lady Georgiana.”

He put down the various encumberments, clicked his heels and gave a curt little bow. “How do you do,” he said in clipped English.

“It was very kind of you to accompany my mother,’ I went on, hearing myself sounding a little too enthusiastic. “I’m so glad you speak English?  My German is not too good.  If you’d like to say for a meal before you get back to London, you’d be most welcome.”

“Nein. I do not go back to London,” he said. “I am commanded to stay wiz your muzzer. This lady is a special friend of our Fuhrer and a very important person. She deserves to be escorted. I am sure when she was a duchess in your country she went everywhere with servants, nicht?”

I gave a merry little laugh. “But we have servants here and she will be well looked after until we bring her back to London. We don’t need to trouble you. I’m sure you’d be more comfortable at your embassy.’

“I stay wiz her,” he said firmly. “I am commanded to do zis and I obey.”

“Of course. Very commendable,” I replied. “I’m afraid we have rather a large number of visitors ready for the coronation so I don’t quite know where we are going to put you, but I’m sure there’s an extra bedroom in Sir Hubert’s own wing. I have the servants make up a bed for you.”   

He didn’t look exactly thrilled. He clicked his heels again. “I would prefer that my room is close to that of the duchess,” he said. ‘In case she needs me during the night. I am assigned to keep her from harm.”

I frowned at him. “In England we have a wing in the house for unmarried gentlemen, as is only right and proper. I can assure you that no harm will come to my mother in my own house in the middle of the English countryside.”

I turned back to Mummy, taking her hand. “I’ve got your favorite room ready for you. Would you like to come up to see it or would you prefer to come and say hello to everybody?”

“Oh, perhaps see my room first,” she said. “One does need to powder one’s nose after a long and tiresome journey.”

“You go on up,” I said. “You know which room you like.”

As she started up the stairs Herr Grossauer went to follow her. I stopped him. “Please wait here. I’ll ring for my housekeeper.” 

He stood there glaring at me, or to be honest I couldn’t tell if he was glaring because his haughty expression didn’t change. Mrs. Holbrook came hurrying up. “Your ladyship?” she asked, eyeing the strange man in the foyer.

“My mother has arrived, Mrs. Holbrook. Please make sure she is well looked after.” “With pleasure, my lady.” Mrs. Holbrook beamed at my mother and dropped her alittle curtsey.

“And this gentleman has accompanied her from Germany. Can you find a spare

room for him?”

“On the servant’s floor, my lady?” she asked, eyeing him nervously.

“Oh no. Herr Grossauer represents the German government. We should treat him according to his rank. I think the only suitable bedrooms still available are in Sir Hubert’s wing, with the other bachelor?”

“Of course, my lady. I’ll have a room prepared.” Her expression didn’t waver but I could tell she got my meaning. Keep him as far away as possible.

“I’m sure Herr Grossauer would also like to freshen up after his journey. Please take him up and show him a bathroom he can use.”

“Follow me, mein herr,” she said, eyeing him suspiciously.

He glanced back at me. I couldn’t tell if the glance was angry or not, but he went after her.  I ran straight up after Mummy and found her sitting on the bed in her room. “Oh darling.” She held out her arms to me and I hugged her, something we had not done very often in our lives.  “Has he gone?” she whispered.