I’ve been to London many times, but it’s always been for the day, or for an overnight visit. I’ve toured Buckingham Palace, seen countless shows in the West End, spent hours at the Royal Academy, the National Gallery and the British Museum and shopped in Covent Garden. I’ve walked along the South Bank, visited the British Library and bought a Paddington Bear from Paddington Station. I’ve walked across Tower Bridge, explored the Tower of London and been to Madame Tussauds. I’ve cried in both Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral. I’ve spent far too much money in Fortnum and Masons and Selfridges and wanted to move into the Piccadilly branch of Waterstones.

I haven’t even scratched the surface of this city. I want to go everywhere and see everything! There’s so much history here, from Roman times to World War II. I’ve never managed to get to the Museum of London, or Highgate Cemetery. I’d love to do a river tour under the famous bridges across the Thames. I’ve visited Hyde Park briefly and I managed to see the famous Hyde Park Corner, but I want to see the whole thing, along with Regent’s Park and London Zoo. The Houses of Parliament are iconic, and I’d love to do the tour. I want to go and see if I can find where Vauxhall Gardens used to be, and trace where my characters would have lived in Mayfair. I’ve never been to Harrods, or ridden on a red London bus.

If only hotels weren’t so damned expensive – you can travel abroad for an all inclusive holiday for less than it would cost for a week in London!