@Jane – Wow, that just blew me away! There was me thinking it was a special little madness all of my own – should have known better!

@ Jason – Only the British Library? Not the secret service too? I must work harder….

I haven't yet found a way of fixing it but, when I do I'll let you know

Absolutely LOVE the story!

Jane (who can't believe she didn't get sacked from her last job as she was mostly just making it up…)

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@ Dan, thank you. It means more than that to me monetarily as it's the design aspect too. It means a hell of a lot more really though – it's the first time any fiction I have written has resulted in a material reward.

@Jason – you realise that by calling me kitten and then telling me that you have lied to get a British library card is tantamount to asking me to run away with you, don't you? But seriously, I'm chuffed you understand the fear. (Please, tell me one day you'll let me know what the two most exciting things were…)

@Graham – Will do, and thanks for being ready to drag me out.

@ Marc – My inner critic and multiple neuroses are excellent at convincing me that everyone else is wrong! But I like the point you make. I recall (hazily) another Spock quote: "You may find that having is not so pleasing as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true." I think it was quoted at the beginning of a book I read years ago. He might have been right…

@Elle – that is a fabulous quote, and oh so true. What if we are capable of being so much more – we won't be able to hide away any more! I hope it has given you something – I squirrel away all tales of writing success in my little mental hope chest. Perhaps I have inadvertently made a magic nut for someone else, what a lovely thought.

@Diana – Oh that desire is truly mutual. One day, when I have money, I will meet up with you and we will have tea and crumpets. We shall have such a fine conversation you and I. Then I will catch a plane to Australia, to drink cold beer with Graham and talk about the nature of man and religion. It's got to happen. xx

@Christy – oh that is definitely a reveal, thank you. Yes… a big fear that one – in fact it happened to me tonight – my Mum had printed out a short story competition for me to enter and talked about it like winning would be easy for me. "I expect you to win it" she said in a cheery way as her confidence was turned into fodder for my fear.

@Caroline – It's like you floated into my living room and popped and a thousand sparkles burst out! Yay! Thank you! Elderflower champagne – wow, that sounds nice, don't mind if I do…

@ Joanna – I will try. I'm not promising anything though.

Congratulations on winning the writing contest. Your story is truly magnificent. It grabbed my attention straight away. All the very best.

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I agree with Jason. Getting what you want IS bloody scary. Much more than spiders. (And Jason – on the British Library card thing … well, don't be too worried, that makes at least two of us.)

Such lovely news, Emma. I'm almost drunk with 'helium glee'! I'm off to open a bottle of elderflower champagne to celebrate. (And pouring you a virtual glassful now …)

Cheers!