Back Between the Traces

Plans A, B and Z accomplished, I’m back between the traces hauling behind me one very delayed novel. I really have to get on with it now, not least because I have a million ideas about what I want to write next. Well, a couple of ideas at any rate. That’s what holidays can do to you.

But today’s question, thrown into the court of public opinion, is what to call this sequel to Perfect Meringues. I opened the bidding with Contains Nuts, which was quite well received by my publishers but then they got the notion that the title of such a character-led book should include the name of the protagonist. They suggested Lizzie Partridge, Three Ways.

This was a bit lost on me as I don’t have a television but it was explained as being a very popular trend on cookery shows. As in, Tripe, Three Ways, I suppose. I tried to love this idea though I wasn’t convinced. For one thing I feared people would ask, ‘what are the three ways?’ and I wouldn’t have an answer. Furthermore, I doubt whether even readers who enjoyed Perfect Meringues would remember Lizzie’s name. She was played, by the way, by Imelda Staunton, when I adapted the book for radio. Christopher Biggins played Louie, Lesley Joseph played Kim and we had a lot of  fun creating the glop and squish of an audible food fight. But that’s all a long time ago and my book still doesn’t have a title.

I, half-heartedly, offered Lizzie Partridge, Sweet and Sour. It’s being considered. But in my heart of hearts I still think we should have something off a cake-mix box. Just Add an Egg? Now with Added Calcium? Garnish Not Included? 

So now over to you, dear reader. I welcome your views and suggestions and will even convey them upstairs to the Court of Appeal.