Once a year I get within touching distance of the Queen, and sometimes even Prince Harry
The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay
I live in Ascot, which for most of the year is a sleepy little racecourse town in Berkshire; just fifteen minutes from Windsor and around an hour from London. However, in June, Ascot holds a special week of races called Royal Ascot, attended by The Queen, who has had an interest in horses since childhood. It is Britain's most popular race meeting, welcoming around 300,000 visitors over five days, all dressed up in their finest clothes and hats. Every day the Queen and different members of the royal family, get in open top carriages and travel up the racecourse in them. Us local folk know just where to stand and get the best view of this royal procession before it reaches the course. I often get literally within touching distance of them all. It’s such an amazing sight of tradition and fun.
I was once a contestant on Supermarket Sweep
*Hides head behind hands. My sister had always wanted to go on Supermarket Sweep; a hilarious quiz show hosted by Dale Winton and somehow managed to convince me it was a great idea. Well, I was so nervous, that as soon as filming started, I literally didn’t have any saliva in my mouth. Amazingly, we managed to answer all the questions and get the coveted pink sweatshirts to wear in the final round. However, in said final round, my sister swerved so wildly with her trolley, she took out the whole of the drinks aisle and we ended up last. Mind you we did get to keep the sweatshirts, plus get given our petrol money home!
My rescue cat Stan was christened Barnaby
I confess to being a bit of a mad cat lady. Before I got my Stan, I did have another lovely black and white moggy, called Patrick and when it was his time to go I vowed to not get another cat again as I was so heartbroken. However, within days my sisters could see how much I was missing him and started sending me links to other rescue kittens. Well, I saw young Stan and it was love at first sight. I went to check him out at the RSPCA Centre in Chobham and he literally ran into my arms. The staff their had christened him Barnaby, but the name just didn’t seem to suit him. So, after a bit of brainstorm on cat names, Stanley was reborn!
My books are my babies
I have cried quite a lot since 2011 to be honest. I had IVF twice, I got pregnant twice. I lost my first baby at 6 weeks, then my beloved twins at 16 weeks. One of them had even danced and waved at me during the scan, but sadly it was not to be. And, sadly, it is never to be naturally, as I had to have a hysterectomy soon after.
However, rather than scream and shout ‘why me?’, I decided to put my experiences and grief to good use and The SW19 Club was born.
Writing nine books isn’t all that’s happened to me in the past seven years… I have had IVF twice, got pregnant twice. Lost my first little soul at 6 weeks, then my beloved twins at 16 weeks. Sadly, being a mother is something I will never be, as I had to have a hysterectomy soon after. However, rather than scream and shout ‘why me?’, I decided to put my experiences and grief to good use to write The SW19 Club. A heartfelt novel that deals with very real and poignant issues around child loss and infertility.
Now… my books are my babies. They cause me frustration at times, but ultimately the pleasure they give me outweighs that – without a dirty nappy in sight! I have cried quite a lot since 2011 to be honest. I had IVF twice, I got pregnant twice. I lost my first baby at 6 weeks, then my beloved twins at 16 weeks. One of them had even danced and waved at me during the scan, but sadly it was not to be. And, sadly, it is never to be naturally, as I had to have a hysterectomy soon after.
However, rather than scream and shout ‘why me?’, I decided to put my experiences and grief to good use and The SW19 Club was born.
I do all my writing in bed
I prefer to write at home, under my duvet, in my bed. Which does nothing for my ‘writer’s back’ but does everything for my concentration. If I’m under those covers, I don’t feel obliged to get up and do any chores. Sometimes if the words are flowing, I forgot to eat and drink for hours. Luckily Stan comes in, now and then to voice his catering requirements; which means at least then I get up and fuel myself too.
I am obsessed with SAS type programmes
I have just finished watching the TV programme, SAS Who Dares Wins - the format being where civilians from all walks of life do a version of the SAS training. It is hard both mentally and physically, but the whole thing is just so inspirational and sometimes tear jerking; especially when you hear the back stories of some of the competitors. I will also add that Ant Middleton, who runs the show, is rather easy on the eye too!
Horse racing is a passion of mine
As I mentioned before, I was born in Ascot; with the racecourse on my doorstep. My family have always loved the sport and have passed their passion down to me. There is just something fantastic about the buzz of the day. And without fail, every time I go, I am in awe of what a beautiful and magnificent creature the horse really is. For me, it is a social time, to catch up with friends, have a few drinks and attempt to win a few pounds by having a small flutter on each race.
My favourite food is burger and chips
There is just something about biting into a great, big fat juicy burger, with all the trimmings that does it for me. I can’t go a blue cheese, just plain old cheddar and no bacon or salsa. I must have a side order of onion rings and a big plop of ketchup. Chunky chips finish off the plate nicely. I also have to confess I do also love a Big Mac (other burger outlets are available) and when I have one of those, my drink order is always milk!
My favourite place to go on holiday is Devon
I’m one of four children and as kids we always used to go to either Cornwall or Devon on holiday so it holds many magical memories for me. There are many things I love about the south west; the quaint fishing villages, and those beaches! So many of them outstanding areas of natural beauty. I particularly love a village called Dittisham, which is on the Dart Estuary, just down from Dartmouth. I had the steep streets of this village in mind when I wrote The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay.
My dream is…
I am really hoping that The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay will be successful enough to allow me to at last write full time. My ultimate dream is to buy a little cottage and café down in Devon where I have a room overlooking the sea to write in, plus where I can run writing workshops and host book launches.
About the author:
Nicola May lives in the UK, five miles from the Queen’s castle in Windsor, with her black-and-white rescue cat, Stan. Her hobbies include watching films that involve a lot of swooning, crabbing in South Devon, eating flapjacks – and, naturally, enjoying a flutter on the horses.
She won Best Author Read at the Festival of Romance for The School Gates and Christmas Evie, in 2012 and 2014 respectively.
She classes her novels as ‘chicklit with a kick,’ writing about love, life and friendships in a real, not fluffy kind of way. She likes burgers, mince pies, clocks, birds, bubble baths and facials - but is not so keen on aubergines. Nicola’s website is www.nicolamay.com. She is on Twitter @nicolamay1, Instagram as author_nicola and has a Facebook page (just google Book Page of Nicola May).
Details of The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay – Published on April 9 can be found here: