Venue: Waterstones Oxford

Date: 14th September, 2012

Time: 6.30 to 8pm

Thank you, marvellous family and friends. Thank you, wonderful staff of Waterstones Oxford, led by Events Manager, Charlie Hayes. Thank you, Colin Dexter, for your warm and enthusiastic support.

Yes, I owe thanks to the many people who helped me to ensure that the The Road Back was launched in style on Friday evening. Happily, several friends captured moments from the fabulous evening with their cameras, and I’d like to share some of those moments with you.

Greeting friends Linda Harris, Carole Print, Alison Holloway

Greeting Angela Stack

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Facing the camera, Chris Blountfield. My older son, Luke, is to his left

My husband, with wine, among the people gathering in Waterstones Oxford

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Far left, brother-in-law, Dr. Geoff Watts, talking to my son, Luke. In front of Luke, son Jake looks at the flowers that Waterstones gave me

In the front, Jane Gordon-Cumming. At the back, her husband, Edwin Osborn. To the left, Kevin, a friend from my village

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Talking to David Vachell, Eileen Barnes Vachell & my husband, Richard

Facing the camera, Ahilleas Maurellis & Sonja Francis of Thame News online

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food being passed around (Fair enough; it's a bit obvious!). Ann Delaney looks around

Younger son, Jake, with Angela Stack

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Far left, Julie Roberts; centre, London friend, James Plant, talking to Kevin. Far right, my cousin, Alan

What on earth could I have been saying!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah Andrew, a young friend from London; my sister, Diana Ellis, and my son, Luke

Brother-in-law, Geoff, with my cousin, Alan, and his wife, Janet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angela Stack with Nikki Fine

Lizzy Edmondson, Sonja Francis, & Kate Lace with food

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heather Rosser, enjoying herself, with Mary Cavanagh just behind her

Son Jake's partner, Angela Burgess, with Julia Knight & Ann Delaney

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watched by Nikki Fine on her right, and Julie Roberts behind her, Angela Stack has a message for the camera! Carol McGrath has her back to Angela and misses the message

 

Kate Lace offering food to Angela Stack & Carol McGrath

Mary Cavanagh & Maggi Fox

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colin Dexter, creator of Oxford's Inspector Morse

 

Colin Dexter with Kyla & her friend

Berkshire friends, Carole & Linda, talking to Colin Dexter

 

On the topic of bookmarks, with my Friend from the North, Stella Lee

Signing a book for Jane Gordon-Cumming. Mary Cavanagh & Sue Andrew look on

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signing a book for my sister, Diana

Signing a book for Chrissy Hayes, with Radio Marlow, and her mother

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wonder what Sarah and Nikki are looking at!

Signing books for Heather Rosser, Jan Sprenger & Beth Elliott

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alison Bacon, Maggi Fox & Kate Lace

Sylvia Vetta talking to a friend and Linora Lawrence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With Alison Bacon

Sarah Watkinson and her husband, talking with Edwin Osborn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's time to think about my reading from The Road Back. Discussing this with Charlie Hayes, Events' Manager of Waterstones Oxford

Enjoying a joke with Colin Dexter as I prepare to read from my book

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introducing my characters, Patricia and Kalden, to everyone in the room

Charlie Hayes' fast action with a particular book causes much amusement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Listening to Colin Dexter's amusing talk

With my reading and Colin's talk over, it's time to sign more books

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signing a book for Tim Griggs

Carol McGrath engrossed in conversation with Colin Dexter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Talking to Ahilleas Maurelli

Charlie Hayes and Kate Lace share a joke

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charlie Hayes draws our attention to the fact that it's time to wind down the launch

 

 

 

So it's goodbye, staff at Waterstones Oxford. Thank you for helping us to have a brilliant evening and to send The Road Back in to the world in style.