I was writer-sitting this Saturday. Jackie Kay, is a prolific poet, novelist and short-story writer. She was in town for work with the British School and the European Schools, and a mutual friend asked me to look after her on the Saturday afternoon and evening. She is, quite simply, a lovely lady and great company. My writers group friend and children’s author Leila Rasheed (she wrote this and this) organised a signing session at the local branch of Waterstones, and then very kindly Jackie joined me and Leila and the rest of the writers group back home for a working session. This was great fun. She read from The Adoption Papers and Off Colour, and then we all read extracts from our work. Afterwards, spouses and companions and children joined us for a big meal. A wonderful evening was capped off by Leila’s boyfriend, Rene Morgensen (a composer and gifted saxophonist), playing jazz riffs into the small hours. A special occasion.