In its early stages, Life Begins at 50 was all about the setting. When my girls were younger, we spent quite a few family holidays at Ferry Meadows Country Park, near Peterborough. We loved it for many reasons but mainly because:
- We lived in the Midlands at that time, and it was fairly close to home, with an adjacent caravan park. This meant Ferry Meadows was a great place to escape to for long weekends, and friends could easily join us. We’d circle the wagons, have barbecues and watch our various offspring riding round and round and round the caravan site on their bikes until someone cracked and called them in for bed. There was also wine involved. Quite a lot of wine.
- I could ride my own bike on all the cycle paths around the country park and Peterborough in (comparative) safety, being someone who regularly fell off, was unable to signal and panicked near roads.
- It was and still is peaceful, beautiful and full of wildlife.
To write a book set in and around the park was an ideal opportunity for me to create a fictional village in the neighbourhood, and so Willowbrook was born, with its nearby town of Meadowthorpe. Soon, Willowbrook was as real to me as my own hometown but much more picturesque. There’s a village green, a great pub, The Fox and Fiddle, and even a babbling brook. The characters who live there came to life quickly, and I loved the idea of a village community where all ages mingled with each other quite peaceably and were mutually appreciative, at least for most of the time!
The name for the three older and very sparky ladies – The Saga Louts – was shamelessly stolen from two lifelong friends who have their own gang of the same name, regularly meeting up for holidays, and adjusting their trips over the years as they have become unable to climb mountains or walk for many miles together. My Saga Louts, Beryl, Winnie and Anthea, have more fun than the rest of the residents of Willowbrook put together. They have history. When Kate and Milo come into the picture, the ladies watch their growing relationship with a keen interest, as they do with all significant village affairs. Some might call them nosy. They prefer to think of themselves as naturally curious. However we choose to label them, The Saga Louts are a vital part of village life, as is the café at the country park where Kate works, which is very close to the memorial benches that nestle around the lakes. These are as real as the main setting and one of them in particular is very special to me.
All in all, Willowbrook, its surroundings and its inhabitants are just waiting to be discovered. I hope readers find this place as relaxing and energising as I do. And if you bump into the Saga Louts in the café, they do love a good natter over a pot of tea. Just remember not to spill too many of your secrets. You may well regret it…