ChatterboxNews from Jo’s life … straight into yours

Josephine Cox’s

HARPERCOLLINS • ISSUE 21• JANUARY 2013

Author Letter • Readers’ Corner • Competition Winner • And much more!

Read an exclusive extract from Jo’s new book inside!

Author Letter

Hello everyone,

Here I am again, impatient to know what you’ve been up to and hoping everything is okay in your lives.

As for me, I have not been climbing mountains and ending up in a big slimy heap at the bottom, thank goodness. But I have been doing events, interviews and other such amazing things. I’m also very proud to have been travelling around the country opening new and refurbished libraries. I think we all need a library within easy reach of home; especially since many of our children often have no other access to books. As we’re all aware, times are really tough for many families just now. Money is tight, and purchasing books is an added expense.

In between working, I’ve also been ploughing through your wonderful letters, from right across the world. You really are the most lovely people, thank you – your letters are a real joy (and the girls at my publishers think so, too).

Look after yourselves, my darlings, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do ... that might mean you’re free to do anything that takes your fancy!

Stay well, and be happy if you can. I love you all ... my second family!

Much love and God bless. I sincerely hope to see you on my travels.

Sometimes a damaged child becomes a broken man...

Turn to page 6 to read an exclusive extract!

GET YOUR COPY ON JANUARY 31st 2013

NEW

2 • Chatterbox Chatterbox • 3

Get writingReaders’ Corner

4 • Chatterbox

We’ve had so many letters in for Jo that we’re beginning to look like a post office! One of our favourite parts of the day is sitting down with a cup of tea and reading your letters, and this time we’ve had

them from as far as Australia. G’day Aussie fans! We love knowing that wherever you are in the world, you all love Jo as much as we do.

Here are a few of our favourite snippets:

Send in your letters for Jo at:HarperCollins Publishers,

77-85 Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 8JB

Alternatively, please email chatterbox@harpercollins.co.uk

‘May I thank you for the

hours of pleasure you

have given me, and I

hope to have many

more hours to come.’

Mrs Hazel Coulson, Peterborough

‘Thank you very much for the lovely card you sent me. Your letter really made my day.’Mrs N. Wright, Perth, Australia

‘I just can’t express how much

pleasure I get from your books.

No other writer comes near you,

you are simply the best!’

Pat Price, Bristol

‘My name is Abu, I am 17, and I love reading your books.

You gave me hope when I was down which I am

very thankful for.’Abu Bakar, Birmingham

Chatterbox • 5

HAvE YOUR LETTER PUBLiSHEd iN ONE OF JO’S BOOkS!

Remember, you can get news from Jo weekly at:

www.josephinecox.com

www.facebook.com/jocoxbooks

For those of you who are abroad, like our lovely letter writers in Australia, then please remember that you can keep in touch by emailing us at

chatterbox@harpercollins.co.uk. Just remember to include your name and home address so that Jo can write back to you!

Adam went down the steps. On the last step he gave a short jump to the ground, his satchel catching on the hand-rail as he did so. ‘All right, are you?’ Phil released his satchel. ‘Yes, thank you, Phil.’ After following Adam down the bus steps, Phil secured the door behind him. ‘I expect you’re glad to be home, eh?’Except for a curt nod of the head, Adam gave no reply, but he wanted to tell this gentle, kind man that no, he was not all right; that he was not glad to be home. He wanted to confess that he was afraid and unhappy, and that he often dreamed of running away. But he would never do that, because it might be dangerous for someone he loved dearly. So he kept his silence and went on pretending. Even now, as they approached the house, his heart was thumping. Was his father home yet? Had his day been good? Because if not . . . oh . . . if not . . .

THE END

You’re always telling us how much you love Jo’s writing, so we want to give you the chance to tell the world! From now on, we’ll be featuring your letters in the back of Jo’s future titles and re-releases, so your letters

will be sat right next to the very stories that you love.

If for any reason you don’t wish to have your letter published then please remember to specify when you write to Jo.

Now for what you’ve all been waiting for! An extract from Jo’s brilliant new book,

There was something disturbing about young Adam. Deep inside, he carried a secret that he could never tell anyone. Phil knew, though, because he recognised that certain look: the slump of the shoulders; the sad eyes that gave little away. Having fought for king and country, Phil knew what it was like to carry a secret. Over the years he had learned to live with the vivid memory of terrible scenes he had witnessed. He could banter with old companions, but the loneliness of guarding his secret was often unbearable. Though his life was not empty, he ached for the company of a very special person, the one lovely woman he had loved with every fibre of his being. The only woman who was able to bring sunshine into his life, even on a rainy day. He kept himself busy helping his neighbours and occasionally meeting up with locals down at the pub. He earned his living by driving the school bus, and when the working day was over, he would go home to an empty house, make his tea and, afterwards, sit in his chair and light up his faithful old pipe. Before it got dark, he would take a leisurely stroll through the countryside, his little mongrel dog, Rex, tripping along beside him. Phil appreciated his few simple pleasures, though he would have given everything to turn the clock back to a time when he was younger and fitter, and fortunate enough to have a loving wife. Now, though, he would make his way home as always, and except for the faithful little dog who was never far from his side, the house would be empty. Now at night, he went up to his bed; alone. At first light he woke up; alone. He had no one special to laugh or cry with, no one to

Extract

slide his arm around when he felt loving. And there was no one close with whom to share any titbits of gossip or maybe a smile at the occasional naughty tricks the schoolchildren got up to on the bus. There was no one to chastise him when he left the tap running, or when he casually threw his worn shirt on the bedroom floor. It was a hard truth that after many happy years married to a wonderful woman, he was now a man on his own, with only memories and his dog for company. The loneliness weighed heaviest on him in the evenings. He longed for things once familiar, like making a pot of tea for two, and sharing it over a cheery fire, or maybe cutting fresh flowers from his little garden, and seeing his wife’s pretty smile as he handed them to her. Those precious times had been dearly missed these past four years, since his beloved wife lost her fight against a long illness.

Phil’s thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a flicker of movement reflected in the driver’s mirror. Glancing up, he saw his last passenger, young Adam Carter, climbing out of his seat to make his way down the bus. He was far too quiet and serious for his age. There were times when Phil had caught the boy so deep in thought he was oblivious to the other children around him and he had no particular friend with whom he always sat. In Adam, Phil saw a troubled, frightened boy. ‘We’re nearly there, son!’ he called encouragingly. Phil manoeuvred the vehicle over to the verge, where he parked, applied the handbrake, and prepared to let the boy off. ‘Right then, Adam, here you are, home safe and well.’ ‘Thank you, Mr Wallis, I’ll be all right now.’ ‘The name’s Phil . . .’ he kindly corrected the child. ‘Everyone calls me Phil.’ ‘But my father says it’s rude to address your elders by their first name.’

Extract

6 • Chatterbox Chatterbox • 7

Extract Extract

‘Mebbe, but not if they offer you the privilege ... which I am very glad to be doing right now. Only if you feel comfortable with it, mind.’ Adam grew restless. ‘I’d really like to call you Phil,’ he admitted, ‘but my father would be angry with me.’ Phil gave a cheeky wink. ‘Well, that’s easily settled. I won’t tell him if you don’t.’ Adam gave it a little thought, then with a wide smile said, ‘OK. I won’t tell him either.’ ‘Good! That’s settled then.’ Phil climbed out of the driving seat. ‘Seeing as I need to stretch my legs and it’s such a beautiful afternoon, I’ll walk you down the lane to your front door. That’s if you think your father wouldn’t mind.’ Adam shook his head. ‘He won’t mind. Thank you, Phil.’ Phil laughed out loud. ‘There you are. It wasn’t too difficult to say my name, was it?’ He felt as though, at long last, this lonely boy was beginning to trust him. He hoped the day might come when the child would trust him enough to confide in him. He now took a sideways glance at young Adam. At seven years of age, Adam Carter was quietly spoken. With serious brown eyes, and thick dark hair that tumbled over his forehead, he cut a handsome young figure. Not naturally outgoing, he hardly ever laughed out loud, and smiled only on rare occasions. Yet when he did smile it was such a warm, genuine smile, it could light up a room. Phil had noticed how Adam’s nervousness increased the nearer he got to home. Unlike the other children, who could never get off the bus fast enough, Adam hung back, waiting until the very last minute, almost as though he was reluctant to leave the safety of the bus. ‘Right then, son, that’s another week over. You go on; I need to secure the bus, especially after that young squirrel got inside and wreaked havoc.’

Adam went down the steps. On the last step he gave a short jump to the ground, his satchel catching on the hand-rail as he did so. ‘All right, are you?’ Phil released his satchel. ‘Yes, thank you, Phil.’ After following Adam down the bus steps, Phil secured the door behind him. ‘I expect you’re glad to be home, eh?’Except for a curt nod of the head, Adam gave no reply, but he wanted to tell this gentle, kind man that no, he was not all right; that he was not glad to be home. He wanted to confess that he was afraid and unhappy, and that he often dreamed of running away. But he would never do that, because it might be dangerous for someone he loved dearly. So he kept his silence and went on pretending. Even now, as they approached the house, his heart was thumping. Was his father home yet? Had his day been good? Because if not . . . oh . . . if not . . .

OUT iN HARdBACk ON 31st JANUARY 2013

Edward Carter is a bully, who puts fear in the hearts of all who meet him. His son, Adam, is an only child with no friends nor any self confidence. Adam’s mother Peggy is too cowed to protect him, so his only support is the school bus driver.

One afternoon, Jake makes a life-changing decision – to accompany Adam along the darkening woodland lane to his house. But, in the house at the end of the track a tragedy is unfolding, one that will bind them together forever.

8 • Chatterbox Chatterbox • 9

Lady Brenda Cruttenden, you are the

lucky winner of our afternoon tea for two!

Your prize is on its way to you now. We’d

love to see a photo of you enjoying your

treat, so please send one in if you can.

Runners up:

‘inflation rises again.’ Mrs M E damsell

‘There you go children, more balloons.

Now, please can i have a piece of cake?’

Sally Amey

Caption Capers:

the Winner revealed

‘My balloon was this big!’

New Year’s Resolution

Jo’s New Year Message

10 • Chatterbox

The corks have popped, fireworks have filled the sky, and now it’s time to reflect upon the year that has

passed. Jo tells us about the resolutions that she hasn’t quite kept and what she’s hoping to change for 2013.

Hi, it’s that time again ... a brand new year, and exciting things to look forward to.

I’m just wondering if you’ve all made your New Year resolutions, and what they might be; whether it’s the same one you make every year, which hardly ever comes to fruition, or a brand new one, which might prove a little easier to keep!

As for me, I have to admit I broke my resolution last year, which was to double up on my evening exercises. I’m always on the run, so I counted that as the extra bit ... and no, it’s not cheating!

In 2012, I made a difficult decision that went against my nature, just to please someone. This year though, I’m determined to trust my instinct, and not say yes when I feel I really should say no.

And no! It’s not that, so just behave yourselves, you naughty things!

Keep well and have a great year!

From me to you all ... a great big hug

No matter how big or small – we want to hear your resolutions! We’ll print a selection of the best ones in the next issue of

Chatterbox, and those that get printed will win a lovely set of Jo Cox coasters! Simply send in your

resolutions and your name and address in a stamped addressed

envelope. You can find the address on page 4 of this edition of

Chatterbox. Good luck!

Tell us your resolutions!

Chatterbox • 11

In the last issue, we asked you to send in your captions for our Caption Capers competition. Your brilliant entries have had us giggling for hours, but

there can only be one winner.

The winning caption is.... drum roll, please....

LET’S GET PUzzLiNG!

1. Frank and Joe Arnold are very different men. But they are tied by something thicker than water. They are.... (Two words: 5, 8)

2. Young Davie Adams is all alone. They call him...(Two words: 3, 5)

3. Lucy Baker’s story of love and sacrifice is interwoven with that of Barney. To tell it, she must embark on... (Two words: 3, 7)

4. All Jack’s life, the nightmares had haunted him, dragging him back to a place where the clock always strikes...(One word: 8)

5. Sometimes a damaged child becomes .... (Three words: 3, 6, 3) *Jo’s brand new book, out 31 January!*

6. After years spent with ‘the dreaded Laura’ Ben is finally free! Ben enters the world of singledom with his sidekick Dickie Manse (brains-in-his-pants). He is... (Three words: 8, 3, 6)

7. Casey’s mother Ruth is a cruel woman. Determined to keep his son safe, Tom Denton writes... (Two words: 5, 7)

8. When Luke Hammond and Amy Atkinson meet by chance, a spark of love takes hold of their hearts. But will they be brave enough to... (Three words: 4, 3, 5)

All of the answers are titles of Jo’s books, and we’ve answered the first one

to get you started! Good luck!

The magic word is:...................................

Name: ...................................................................................

Address: ................................................................................

..............................................................................................

B

L

O

O

d

B

R

O

t

H

E

R

s

R

J

d

M

E

H

E

Answer the clues to fill in the crossword and reveal a magic word. Once you’ve completed the crossword and revealed the word in the

red boxes, simply send in this page to us in a stamped and addressed envelope and you’ll be entered into a competition to win a signed copy

of Jo’s brand new book, The Broken Man!

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Term

s an

d C

ondi

tions

. The

clo

sing

dat

e fo

r th

is c

ompe

titio

n is

Aug

ust 1

st 2

013.

Th

e ju

dges

’ dec

isio

n is

fina

l and

no

corr

espo

nden

ce w

ill b

e en

tere

d in

to.