Should the water be up to the windows?

No, of course not. But there I was, singing a song on board a boat on the Thames when I saw the water was undoubtedly, unnervingly, half way up the glass. People were looking worried. They were looking for the exits. I was worried. Wouldn’t you have been? Look at it …

Thanks to Helen Daniels for the picture. This was an alarmingly literal response by the river to the words of the song: “Let your love roll down, like the wave turn.”

We were on the Tamesis Dock, a barge venue moored opposite the House of Parliament, on the day of one of those big crisis votes. No metaphors there about a sinking ship, oh no. All I could think of was to keep singing, with The Light Keepers, the band we formed after David Perry and I wrote a set of songs in response to the novel. Anyway, we didn’t drown. The windows held fast. Stories were told, drink was taken. Fun was had.

There are more events coming up, could you get to one of them? It would be good to see you there.

I promised free stuff, so I’m giving away a pair of tickets to each one, to anyone who can show they have reviewed the book on Amazon, GoodReads or anywhere else. I’ll pick the winners in a week’s time, so you’ve got until then to stick something up somewhere and get in touch. With a bit of luck we’ll stay dry …

Retford, Saturday October 12: Pies Peas and Performance with Paul Cookson

Preston, Friday October 18: The Larder

Salford, October 19: Sacred Trinity

Birling Gap, Saturday November 9: National Trust centre at one of the actual locations of the story.

Eastbourne, Thursday December 5: performance in collaboration with visual artists and album launch at the Towner gallery.

See you there!