Authors Interviewing Characters: Helen Hawkins

A Concert for Christmas

Unwrap a story of festive song, good cheer and – just maybe – a sprinkling of love …

Schoolteacher Sophie Lawson has fled to the Cotswold countryside after a tragic break-up and is throwing herself into dating and organising Cranswell’s annual Christmas concert.

The festive fun is marred by the arrival of a handsome but surly musical director, tricky pupils and concert preparations falling into disarray. Disaster strikes, but the show must go on. Will the concert bring Christmas harmony to Cranswell and will Sophie end the year on a high note?

An Interview with Sophie Lawson by Helen Hawkins

Sophie Lawson finds herself in uncomfortable situations like being interviewed all the time. In fact, Sophie finds most situations to be uncomfortable. There was that awkward first date with the twenty helium balloon bouquet, the parents’ evening where she was unexpectedly shouted at by a parent and the time she had to sing a solo in front of so – many – people. Now, she sits in front of me, sporting an incredibly sparkly Christmas jumper. There’s a confident smile on her face, but she is pulling the sleeves of her jumper down over her hands, already stretched from having done it so many times before, hinting perhaps at her anxieties. It’s a feeling, I don’t think, that is all too uncommon for her.

HH: So, Sophie, you moved to Cranswell just over a year ago from where you grew up in London. What brought you to this sleepy Cotswold market town?

Sophie Lawson: [Sophie looks down at her hands, her bright red nail varnish slightly chipped at the edges]. There were a lot of reasons why I felt the need to move away from London. The city – the people – it just wasn’t for me anymore… 

HH: Even though you grew up there… spent your childhood there? 

Sophie Lawson: [She avoids both my eye contact and the question] Well, since I moved to Cranswell and took the job at Cranswell Primary School, I’ve been nothing but happy. It was totally the right decision for me and I’m so pleased I took the leap, even though I came here not knowing the place or anyone here. I suppose you could say it was a leap of faith.

[There’s a silence as I wait for more, but Sophie’s not forthcoming and I’m forced to move on.]

HH: So, you’re a primary school teacher here in Cranswell. Have you always wanted to work with children?

Sophie Lawson: [Nods] I can’t remember wanting to do anything else. I love working with children. I’m in the Year 6 class, so it’s all about SATs and preparing them for their transition to secondary school. And at Christmas time, a primary school is such a joyful place to be, with the nativity and all of the Christmas activities you can plan in as part of their learning. It’s my favourite time of year.

HH: You’ve really thrown yourself into the community since moving to the area too. I hear you’ve been organising Cranswell’s annual Christmas concert. How’s it going?

Sophie Lawson: I’m enjoying every minute of it. The best part is getting to work and sing alongside all sorts of people. It really brings the community together and we’ve genuinely got every type of person imaginable in the choir – and an incredible solo singer. And it’s all for a good cause. We’re raising money for an important charity, one that’s close to my heart. My mother’s charity, in fact… and we’re singing a lovely variety of Christmas classics. There will be something for everyone, from traditional hymns to musical theatre. And I’ve always loved musical theatre. Growing up in London meant I could visit the theatre fairly often. So all this music stuff, I absolutely love it.

HH: Do you have a favourite musical? 

Sophie Lawson: [Sophie’s face comes alive and I can tell this is her one true passion. As she talks about musical theatre, she shines] I am a huge fan of the golden age of musicals and musical stars. I adore Gene Kelly and I love Barbra Streisand – especially the musical theatre and Broadway stuff she did early on. It was my dad’s influence. We used to listen to her on CDs in the car. Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl is my absolute favourite. You’ll quite often hear me singing along – badly – in the shower. Especially to Don’t Rain on my Parade or I’m the Greatest Star. I could only dream of being able to sing like her, though. 

HH: It sounds like a genuine passion. And how about your other passion – your love of Christmas? The concert you’re organising is full of Christmas music, but what’s your favourite thing about Christmas?

Sophie Lawson: Oh goodness! I wouldn’t know where to start! I love everything about Christmas. My tree is up by the end of November, fairy lights everywhere! And each week, my best friend, Kate, and I visit Greg’s Café to try out one of his speciality festive drinks. He does all sorts, like chocolate mint, gingerbread and hazelnut lattes. Cranswell really embraces Christmas, which is one of the things I love most about it. The shop windows in town are the best. I just love the feeling of hope that you get at Christmas time – it’s so romantic.

HH: So is there love on the cards for you this Christmas?

Sophie Lawson: [She laughs nervously] I don’t think… no… not for me this year. It’s far too soon. [She brings her hand to her mouth as if she’s said too much but instead moves it to play with her hair]. I’ve just got so much on with school and the concert. I just couldn’t…

BUY A CONCERT FOR CHRISTMAS HERE

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Helen Hawkins is a writer, editor and English teacher. Her first novel was shortlisted for Penguin’s Christmas Love Story Competition and highly commended in last year’s I Am In Print Romance Competition. When she is not writing, Helen can be found editing, singing and dancing with her local operatic society in Oxfordshire.

 

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: On Writing