Sophie has fond memories of a windy autumn night when four writer friends sat round the table after supper and (as the wine sank lower in the bottle) got a bit silly—and very, very productive. Inspiration? Oh yes…

I can’t count the times someone has said to me, “But how do you find your inspiration?” It’s very rare that I can answer. But Beach Hut Surprise is an exception. It came to life in an evening of pure magic.

Image by Tim Mossholder from Pixabay

Autumn-going-on-arctic-winter, it was dark by five o’clock. We were looking at the time of year when Anglo Saxon warriors trudged back to the mead hall and feasted behind doors locked against Monsters of the Waste.

My writer friends had come to London for meetings and were going to stay over.

I wasn’t attending (I was almost certain there would be speeches and statistics) but offered sustenance afterwards.

We could all kick off our shoes, hang loose, gossip and and ramble in the sure and certain knowledge that everyone else present was doing the same.

Image by Music Mynk from Pixabay

Forget professional best behaviour. This was basic cuddling down in a human burrow with fellow creatures we liked and trusted.

I’ve done evenings like this loads of times, before and since. Industrial-sized shepherds pie. Choice of wines, in the absence of mead. Cheerful fire. Maybe a scented candle or two.

I always love it. I don’t expect magic though. Continue reading →