A bit of an embarassment all round.
I've just scurried home from "The Hub" in the next village. They had a "Meet the Author" session, and again it was
Laura Thompson .
Keen readers of my work, will recall that this has all happened before a few months ago, when I was the only one to turn up to an empty closed and dark 'Hub'. I went for a Chinese takeaway instead. This time I did it all correctly and booked, and even revealed my name.
She came this time.
I bought her first ever book called "The Dogs" and thought it the best on the subject I'd ever read. She really "got it" which very few do.
I had no idea what the evening would bring - however I wasn't prepared for wall to wall and very detailed Agatha Christie. I think she's the subject of her latest book - or at least the one she's plugging at the moment. I wanted to meet and learn more about Laura Thompson, not Agatha Christie. I guessed she'd be selling something, and was quite happy to buy it, as a 'thanks for coming' gesture.
I tolerated it for as long as humanly possible - but after about 45 minutes had to decide how best to withdraw. I went for the direct method - just got up and walked out (as discreetly as I could) which in the circumstances was not very discreet. Luckily I had a table towards the back of the fourteen strong audience. I considered - but decided against, a public announcement and apology. I think it was probably for the best.
