Last week’s event at The Bookery blossomed into a warm and joyful celebration, even if it began with an unexpected twist. The evening had been planned as a double act featuring two beloved South West authors, Veronica Henry and Liz Fenwick, in honour of World Book Day, the launch of Flora’s Day, and Veronica’s twenty-fifth novel. The shop was filled with that unmistakable Bookery excitement as readers settled in, ready for an uplifting night of stories and conversation.

Unfortunately, we had to open the evening sharing the disappointing news that Veronica was unwell and unable to join us. A sympathetic groan swept the room, showing just how cherished & admired she is by our customers, but the mood lifted almost instantly when everyone was offered a free ticket to any event in the next two months. Gratitude rippled through the audience, and with that generous gesture, the evening happily found its new shape around Liz Fenwick.

Our chair for the evening, the ever-warm and assured Anne Oxborough OBE, invited Liz to say a few words about Veronica’s new novel, The Invitation—a thoughtful nod to the readers who had hoped to hear more about it. Liz spoke fondly about Veronica’s writing before turning to Flora’s Day, the star of the night and her own passion project. She described it with sparkling humour as “Helston’s Flora Day meets One Day, but with nobody dying,” which drew delighted laughter across the room. Liz explained how the novel traces the ancient traditions of Flora Day in Helston, Cornwall, where each 8 May the town comes alive with dancing, music, flowers, and deep-rooted community pride. She read from the opening chapter, reflecting playfully on the various names the day might have had before confirming that Flora—conceived on Flora’s Day—could only ever have one name.

The conversation drifted beautifully between writing styles, with Anne noting the contrast between Veronica’s expansive third-person worlds and Liz’s more intimate first-person storytelling. Liz shared her joy in focusing on just a few characters at a time, sinking into their emotional landscapes. She also spoke enthusiastically about the research behind Flora’s Day, from discovering a 1946 history of Helston written by a school headmaster to investigating the town’s remarkable number of pubs on a research pub crawl with her daughter. She described the Hal-an-Tow song, the rule that only Helston-born residents may dance, and the sparkling refreshment enjoyed mid-celebration.

The evening closed with lively questions from readers before a cheerful signing session, where many chose which event they would attend next with their complimentary ticket. What began with a setback blossomed into a heartening celebration of storytelling, community spirit, and the simple joy of gathering together. Flora’s Day left everyone smiling, a reminder that sometimes one day, one conversation, or one unexpected moment is enough to brighten everything.