BIOGRAPHY
I was born in Jerusalem in 1944, and from when I was about
four years old, I travelled all over the place because my
father worked for the British Colonial Office. Before
I was ten, we lived in Nigeria, North Borneo and the Gambia.
I was educated at Roedean School and St. Hilda's college,
Oxford where I studied Modern Languages (French and Spanish).
I wanted to be a singing star but that didn't quite work out
as planned, so I became a teacher after coming to Manchester
in 1967, after my marriage. The fact that I am still living
here after 34 years shows what a great place it is. And I'm
still married to the same man, so I guess he's pretty great,
too. We have two grown-up daughters and live with a beautiful
cat called Mimi (Meems).
I started writing in 1973 by going in for a competition in
a newspaper. I didn't win, but writing my entry was a lot
more fun than teaching, so I started sending stories around
and after three years or so of trying, my first book
(TEA AT MRS MANDERBY'S) was accepted by Hamish Hamilton and
published in 1976.
I love reading, movies, theatre, and I am a fanatical knitter.
I also love cats, food, stationery, lots of different kinds
of music...and e-mail. I hate flying, and milk puddings.
I've written more than 80 books since, including Troy
which has been on a lot of shortlists and was Highly Commended
for the Carnegie Medal.
