Change occurs slowly. Very often a legal change might take place but the cultural shift required to really accept its spirit lingers in the wings for decades.

My father could talk about the Romany way of life and its culture. He could talk about freedom and the Scottish spirit. But that was all he could talk about. I was desperate for someone to talk to but there was just nobody there.

History at its best is a gritty, dirty business.

Historical fiction of course is particularly research-heavy. The details of everyday life are there to trip you up. Things that we take for granted, indeed, hardly think about, can lead to tremendous mistakes.

An Aunt is a safe haven for a child. Someone who will keep your secrets and is always on your side.

As an historical novelist - there are few jobs more retrospective.

The law don't like jazz clubs. No one wants anything to do with that kind of trouble.