Yes, many times. I love rummaging through old second-hand shops and have found many interesting items. My most treasured find is an exquisitely, glamorous swing coat and whenever I wear it I wonder what kind of woman it belonged to in the 1950’s, what was her life like, her dreams and aspirations.

The depictions of Italy are wonderful, it feels like the perfect escape, why do you think Italy is such a good location?

Because Italy really does have it all. It’s such a beautiful country steeped in history with glorious weather and passionate people. The sense of timeless romance is appealing too, as is the sumptuous cuisine, breathtaking landscape and architecture.

A Postcard from Italy is going to be right at the top of people’s reading wishlist, but which of your books gets the most fan mail?

Oh, definitely Cupcakes at Carrington’s, my very first book and the start of the series set in Carrington’s Department store and then The Great Christmas Knit Off, the first of my books set in the fictional village of Tindledale. It’s always an honour to hear from readers, when they take the time to tell me how they loved being swept away into a different, but relatable word that often makes them laugh or cry and sometimes even helps them through a difficult period in their life.

How do you decide what to write about?

I really don’t know for sure. But thankfully, I always have a new story percolating away inside my head and the ideas come from all kinds of things – it could be hearing something on the news, reading an interesting article in a magazine or simply being nosey and earwigging other people’s conversations in a coffee shop. I’m a very nosey author. But the stories always start with a character, usually the main character and once I know their name I can spend months, sometimes years, thinking about them and wondering how their story will unfold on the page. Then, when I’m ready to start writing a new book my editor and I get together and brainstorm the storyline for the character and work out who she needs around her and it goes from there … a new book begins, which is always exciting.

A Postcard from Italy is the perfect holiday read, what do you think makes the perfect holiday, apart from a good book?

Spending time with loved ones. We all work so hard these days and so to have precious time away with family or friends to chat, laugh, explore new places or just relax contentedly in each other’s company always feels like such a lovely treat. Of course, delicious food and a jug of sangria on a balmy evening watching a glorious sunset sure helps make a holiday perfect too.

What’s the best thing about being a writer?