Last week I proudly showed Gina’s books that are on display in the window of Waterstones, Weston-super-Mare, to two bewildered security officers. They were bewildered because their reason for being there was to apprehend me in a shopping centre for taking unauthorised photos within the mall area. Although I had been busy with my camera and tripod, their stealth and skill in executing a covert two-pronged approach to prevent my escape did not go unnoticed. I smiled at them the first time I noticed them from at least 50 feet away and am convinced that they would have prevented the escape of even the most seasoned and experienced criminal mastermind or book terrorist.
Fortunately, I was just a rebel with a camera and once they realised that I wasn’t planning a major book heist, they were kind enough to tell me that I could go on my way, but not before I could stop them from making a swift escape from me as I proudly told them about Gina, her books and how lovely her novel looked in the window display. Marvelous. For some reason they looked very nervous as they stood there. Perhaps it was because I was talking at twice the average speed and was grinning at them like a Cheshire cat on drugs. Being a proud husband can do that, I think.
As they left (rather hurriedly I might add) it was also all that I could do to prevent myself, with chest stuck out proudly, from stopping every passer-by to say “That’s my wife, that is.” and point at the posters with her name on them. Walking, or should I say striding comically back to my car, everyone I walked past received a huge smile, a nod and a greeting. “Helllooooooo!” or “Lovely day isn’t it?”. This brought about a few laughs and smiles. The fact that it was raining, windy and cold might have explained the wide eyed and confused looks that accompanied the automatic “Yes, it is.” response I got from a few of them. Most of them smiled back at me; it’s hard not to smile when one sees another so happy that they look like they are walking on air.
When I got home and told Gina the above, she just smiled. It’s not unusual, apparently.
As a matter of fact, it appears that I am also like this at book signings. She reminded me that at the last event, several people commented on it to her as they came to the book signing table to talk to her. “I’ve been told by your husband that you’re a genius and that I have to buy your book. I don’t think I can argue with that, so can I have a copy?” This comment was made by a few people - how wild is that? All I did was tell them how brilliant she is and told her where they could find her. I had no idea about this until the end of that day; another day of extreme pride in her as I came over to let her know that she had beaten the non-celebrity book signing record again at Waterstones, Bath, one of the group’s flagship stores. I was so excited for her that the lovely comments from the book buyers just flew straight over my head.
It’s good to be an author’s husband. It really is so very good to be Gina’s husband. :)
Saying that though, it is possible I will not be married for long if Gina's latest blog, Seven reasons for divorce, has any bearing on our marriage!
Comments