Hello, lovely blog followers, and new ones as well. It’s busy here at Jonesey Mansions, Alan’s painting doors, I’ve been for an early morning swim, while he had a routine check at the Doctors and back home for breakfast. Now to update the blog, then it will be time for coffee break and the cryptic crossword, that’s more Alan’s thing, I’ll be reading.

My writing buddy, Patsy Collins is launching her latest novel ***FIRESTARTER*** on 5th November and to help celebrate, I’ve asked Hamish and Alice to put in an appearance. This should be by the end of next week, so now you can see why we’re tidying up and getting everywhere spick and span for the bonfire party.

Oh, hang on, a text message has just come through, I must share it with you…

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Dear Suzy, thank you so much for inviting me on to your blog to talk about firework safety. I’d love to. I know your son is a fellow firefighter and of course you’re a great friend of Patsy’s, so you’re almost part of the family. Thanks for helping her with the research – that meant I got a good bunch of mates to work and socialise with as well as plenty to eat. Very important for morale, that.

I hear Alice Bakewell will be popping in too. I remember her from school, sweet kid but a bit shy. It’d be nice to meet her again and see how she’s turned out.

Look forward to meeting up with you soon!

Hamish Mustarde

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Isn’t that brilliant and hopefully we’ll get Hamish to expand on what he remembers about Alice from school. I plan to make sausage and chunky home made chips; they’ll be wrapped in paper, the old-fashioned way. These firemen like traditional things I’ve heard. And as I’m in the middle of this, Alice has texted back as well. Glad to know they’re keen to meet up. Here’s what she says…

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‘Hi Suzy Doodling!

Thanks for those lovely boots with the furry tops, really cool. Well, cosy-cool, you know what I mean!

Hope this isn’t too cheeky, but I heard about your famous green smoothies and Patsy said maybe you’d make me one. She reckons they’re the opposite of Dad’s wine – that looks great but tastes flippin’ awful. Your smoothies look odd, but taste pretty good and they’re healthy too. Would you?

Oh, btw I heard there might be a fireman or two round your place soon. Maybe I could pop round that day? Not because I have a thing about firemen or anything. You know that’s just a rumour. Mostly anyway. Just thought it’d be a good time.

I could bring cakes. Home made obvs. What kind do you like best? And the firemen, what would they like?

Alice

xxxx

p.s. These firemen … do they have muscular thighs? I mean, I just wondered uh … because if they do, they’ll probably need extra cake.

Alice
x

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Hang on while I send Alice a message back,

Dear Alice,

You’re welcome for the boots, but I have better ones than, for you to borrow. Tell you what, come a bit earlier, and you can have a root around in my wardrobe. From what Patsy tells me, I think we share the same dress sense. There are other things you might like to borrow, and yes, deff bring cakes, but… I’ve heard the firemen like flapjacks and shortbread. They are into the healthy eating, (obviously) it was them who told me about the green smoothies you mentioned. Bring the sprout wine, sounds yuk, but my geraniums need a bit of a pick-me-up, so they might like a drop. So so so looking forward to meeting you, and hope that boyfriend of your doesn’t object to you coming all this way. I’ve heard he likes to keep tabs on you. All for now, Suzy. xx

P.s. Yes, they have big muscles, Alice, from working out at the gym in-between shouts.

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Phew, it’s all go as I said earlier, and I’ve got lots of sticks for the open fire, after knocking down that old shed. A few doors down, the working men’s club has a bonfire, so no need for us to do one, we get to see that, and the firework display is amazing. Then again, when I get the crackling fire going and settle down with ***FIRESTARTER*** the night will go with a bang.

Join me and make Patsy’s rom/com rocket up the Amazon charts….. You can pre-order it here…..

Don’t miss this crackling read, fun and frolicks and come back next week to see what Alice and Hamish have to say when they meet up. Now I must get on and make gingerbread, brandysnaps oh, and get the spirulina in ready for the smoothies.

Until next time, keep safe, and get ready for the fire safety talk as well.

Posted in Author Interview, Book Launch, comedy writing

16 responses to “A Man in Uniform”

Patsy

October 9, 2015

Reblogged this on Patsy Collins.

Reply
Patsy

October 9, 2015

Thanks, Suzy. I know they’re both really looking forward to meeting you.

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susanjanejones

October 9, 2015

I can’t wait either, Patsy. I picked up some chocolate biscuits as well, as I know they like them. All the healthy eating has to lapse a bit now and then.

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Nicola

October 10, 2015

My mouth is watering already: I’d love a portion of sausage and chips! Don’t get that much over here! Great post, Susan. Loved the dialogue between old friends and new. Have a lovely meet-up and a relaxing weekend.

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1. susanjanejones
  
  October 10, 2015
  
  Hi, Nicola. I made myself fancy proper chips, so today we had just those… Real potatoes made into crinkly chips and washed to get the starch off, then deep fried once, and twice and three times. Then drained on kitchen roll so end result, yummie chips. With fish, lemon slice peas and home made curry sauce today. The characters are from Patsy’s novel, Hamish and Alice. They’re putting in an appearance next week. Glad you popped in. xx
  
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2. Patsy
  
  October 10, 2015
  
  Between you, you’ve got me wanting chips. I don’t often have them, but I could happilly scoff a bowlful with salt and vinegar right now.
  
  Reply
  1. susanjanejones
    
    October 10, 2015
    
    Go and get the spuds out then, Patsy. And don’t forget the method, makes all the difference. You’ll get golden crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle healthy chips.
rosgemmell

October 11, 2015

What a great way of introducing the characters, Suzy! Look forward to meeting them soon.

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1. Patsy
  
  October 11, 2015
  
  Now they know there are chips on the menu, I think they’ll be eager to get here, Rosemary. Always seem to be hungry, those two.
  
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2. susanjanejones
  
  October 11, 2015
  
  Yes, Rosemary, a different way, and hope everyone realises they’re the characters from the book. They are quite real in my mind and, oh hang on, Alice is texting again, must dash… Thanks for popping in.
  
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Jan Baynham

October 17, 2015

I loved this post, Sue. You have definitely got us interested in the characters in Patsy’s new book. Can’t wait to get to know Alice and Hamish properly when I read the book.

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1. Patsy
  
  October 17, 2015
  
  I think you’ll like them, Jan. They, and some of the other characters, are good fun.
  
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2. susanjanejones
  
  October 18, 2015
  
  I agree, Jan. Alice seems a bit shy, I’ll have to have a little chat and put her right about a few things. I’m looking forward to reading the book as well. Glad you popped in.
  
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Teresa

October 18, 2015

I loved this post – I like Hamish and Alice already and can’t wait to read the book 🙂 xx

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1. Patsy
  
  October 18, 2015
  
  Thanks, Teresa!
  
  Reply
2. susanjanejones
  
  October 18, 2015
  
  Glad you like them, Teresa. They are calling in next week, so we’ll find out more then. Thanks for popping in. xx
  
  Reply