List-juggling, business-owner mum-of-three Louisa is reeling after a tragedy, as well as learning how to cope after a life-changing revelation. With oil worker husband Ronnie possibly being able to move onshore, she hopes he can help her manage the burden.
But the secrets she keeps are causing her headaches and she’s unsure if her ability to make good decisions has deserted her. All she seems to do is upset those around her.
With Louisa’s to-do list gathering pace at an incredible speed, will she manage to provide a stable home for them all, embrace her new normal as well as rebuild their life from what’s left?
And if she gets what she has always wanted, will it match up to her expectations?
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Guest Post
How Summer Has Changed.
Summer. Well, it actually looks like we’re getting a summer in Scotland this year. And I’m quite glad that hot for us is 24 C. Some of the temperatures down south are way too hot for me.
Summer for me conjures up ice cream, kids playing in the street more than usual, later than usual, although disappointingly, unlike when I was growing up in the seventies/eighties, no one plays tennis in the streets during Wimbledon. This may have rather a lot to do with the fact there are considerably more cars on the roads these days, both parked and moving. And it was common to wear a Parka whilst playing tennis of an evening until ten or eleven o’clock to combat the tenacious Scottish midge!
Summer signifies walks in the park, visits to Loch Lomond – overnight stays camping, or in a luxury lodge – day trips to the beach, a national park, a local attraction. The sound of an ice cream van’s jingle and the excited chatter of children as they vie for position, looking to purchase a 99 or a Mr Whippy soft scoop.
Children still play out in the streets, but not to the same extent, nor playing the same games. Who remembers playing balls against a wall, under the leg, twirl and catch? Who played Kick the Can, French Football, Kirby (there’s probably no room to play Kirby now, given the numbers of cars), Red Rover, and of course hide and seek and tig (tag for those south of the border)? Hours of fun were to be had, although we threw in a whole raft of other games too, including running races, rounders and tennis. All this before the advent of games consoles and when there were only three TV channels. Plus, back then, children’s TV only lasted for approximately 1-2 hours.
I was lucky as a child. I had nature on my doorstep, perfect for adventures, freedom and fun. Living very close to the farm track and the entrance to the glen was a real bonus for me. I have so many wonderful memories of those times. Seven weeks of school holidays. I always remember watching Why Don’t You? – a cult TV programme in the seventies/eighties which suggested you turned off your TV set and went and did something else instead – go figure! I’d watch it whilst munching on my Rice Krispies, already knowing I was off up the glen for the day. If it was a good day, we were given packed lunches and despatched with some of the older kids to look after us, occasionally a parent too. We built rock pools, drank water directly from the glen, after checking it was safe, and we knew how! I more or less learned to swim in the glen, and dive. We’d come back tanned and happy, exhausted too. We’d refuel at dinnertime and if we were lucky, we’d be allowed back up the glen in the evening, again with some of the teenage siblings to supervise, where we’d have a campfire and eat sausages and burgers for supper. The days seemed to last forever.
Now, Louisa’s children in Just One Day – Summer unfortunately don’t have the type of childhood I did. Times have changed. But she does have to find a way to cope with her brood over a rather difficult summer holiday period in exceptional circumstances that would try the patience of a saint. Meeting up with friends and family, going to the loch, picnicking – these things are time-tested classics. Cocktail sausage, anyone?
Thank you
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About the author
Susan Buchanan lives in Scotland with her husband, their two young children and a crazy Labrador called Benji. She has been reading since the age of four and had to get an adult library pass early as she had read the entire children’s section by the age of ten.
Susan writes contemporary fiction, often set in Scotland, usually featuring travel, food or Christmas. When not working, writing, or caring for her two delightful cherubs, Susan loves reading (obviously), the theatre, quiz shows and eating out – not necessarily in that order!
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Author Links
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/susan.buchanan.author
Twitter – susan_buchanan
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/AuthorSusanBuchanan/
Website – www.susanbuchananauthor.com
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Book Link
https://books2read.com/u/3yKNa6
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Giveaway
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