A 20-question interview with Sandra Howard – novelist, former model and wife of Conservative politician The Rt. Hon. Lord Howard of Lympne
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Seeing the upside of life and what’s to laugh at.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Perseverance pays.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2017?
Kim Kardashian’s bottom.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
Talking to my mother – She was a sage and a wonderful rock.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
A continuing, happy, healthy marriage.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the state of the financial system?
That’s too taxing for my ‘small bear’ financial brain. Well above my pay grade.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“At the end of the day” and I’m not mad about: “You know what?” (Jeremy Corbyn’s favourite phrase).
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
It should begin at home and continue overseas. I’d hate to see our foreign aid budget cut. I support Addaction (to help people off drugs), Youth Epilepsy and Hospice UK.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
They rule our lives, sometimes for better and frequently for worse.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
All my closest (bridge-playing and witty) friends.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
Fresh crab, Dover sole, some delicious smelly cheese and a ripe mango. I’d eat it on Grand Anse Beach in Grenada, slipping in a last swim in that glorious clear sea.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
A Buck’s Fizz at breakfast isn’t a bad start to the day.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A cup of tea.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
Other peoples’ – I’m a mess of nerves when giving one of my own.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My husband – Most of the time.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
A day (or more) entirely to myself to write in peace and privacy, not doing any of all the stuff, emails etc. that gets in the way.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
A black cat – I think I’ve had lots of luck in my life.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A Mini Cooper is about my marque – fast, but I hope not flashy.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I’m a passionate supporter of Liverpool Football Club.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
Family photos, a pair of china cockerels and a vase of lovely lavender freesias.
Sandra Howard has quickly established herself as a successful author and journalist. She has written six novels; her latest, ‘The Consequence of Love’, is published on 13th July. She was, in the 1960s, a leading photographic fashion model and lives in London and Kent.
Follow Sandra Howard on Twitter at @howardsandrac and like her page on Facebook at @sandrahoward76.
A proper firecracker and a great interview!
Michael Howard is a very lucky man! What a lovely witty lady………..!
She sounds lovely, grounded and positive. Thanks for asking her to do.