Paparazzi

From Susan Scott to Sidney

25th January, 1946

Dear Sidney,

Don’t believe the newspaper reports. Juliet was not arrested and taken away in handcuffs. She was merely reproved by one of Bradford’s constables, and he could barely keep a straight face.

She did throw a teapot at Gilly Gilbert’s head, but don’t believe his claim that she scalded him; the tea was cold. Besides, it was more of a skim-by than a direct hit. Even the hotel manager refused to let us compensate him for the teapot – it was only dented. He was, however, forced by Gilly’s screams to call in the constabulary.

…

We had just returned to the hotel from the Brady’s Booksmith party for Juliet. We were both tired – and full of ourselves -  when up popped Gilly from a chair in the lounge. He begged us to have tea with him. He begged for a short interview with « our own wonderful Miss Ashton – or should I say England’s very own Izzy Bickerstaff? » His swarm alone should have alerted me, but it didn’t – I wanted to sit down, gloat over Juliet’s success, and have a cream tea.

 Mary Ann Shaffer et Annie Barrows The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society 2008