being me abroad

Got a slow start this morning, but the fog is lifting and I’m heading back to the Victoria & Albert Museum before meeting a friend for tea at 4pm. With one day left in London, I’m realizing that I might have been too ambitious when composing my To Do list. I spent a magical morning in Windsor yesterday and then connected with an online friend who fights for diversity here in the UK. I’ve written 1500 words on the new City Kids book—The Ghost in the Castle—and I’ve been lugging my laptop around so I can stop and write as needed. Had no sugar on Sunday but overdid it yesterday, which might be why I woke with a headache. Will indulge myself at tea and then try to go sugar-free tomorrow. I saw Hobnobs on sale at the grocery story, though, so may stock up for the future. I’d rather work on the story than blog so will just say that my search for information about Prince Alemayehu led me to two seniors whose enthusiasm and kindness made my day (and made me miss my grandparents terribly). One steward at St. George’s Chapel, Shelagh, directed me to the plaque commemorating the prince’s life; she also told me that Haile Selassie I was named a Knight of the Garter, and another steward (John) helped me locate his plaque, which was no easy task. I’ve been using this article to guide my research, and was surprised when Shelagh told me the child’s mother was brought to England with him but died in transit. He was still a captive as far as I’m concerned, but he might have at least had the comfort of a parent to help him adjust to life in England. I think her dress is on display at the V&A so that’s where I’m heading now. I’m reading At Her Majesty’s Request: an African Princess in Victorian England, and plan to introduce Sarah Forbes Bonetta into my story; she seems to have assimilated more easily and traveled between the two continents during her lifetime. Did she know the prince? Would they have been friends or would she have seen him as a rival for the Queen’s favor? I had a lovely birthday and realize that a slow-paced trip is best for me—when I was in Dakar two summers ago I did the same thing: holed up in the hotel, ate in my room, and ventured out once or twice a day to absorb information to use in my book. BBC News was the only English-language channel I could get and so I kept that on as I wrote. Here in London I’m watching Time Team and all the other murder mystery shows that I love. I’m in a bubble with my characters, which include two sisters who have contrary perspectives on being Black and British. I might be able to finish this book by the end of November. And no, I haven’t finished the sequel to Wish but that will happen, too. It will—I promise!