Time to Fly - An evening with Lyn Asquith

What would happen if you won the multi-million jackpot on the National Lottery?

Helen Pond’s ordinary life changes overnight when she wins an unexpected fortune. Helen must decide how to use her new-found wealth while keeping her identity a secret...

She turns to best friend Ana, battling cancer, who urges her to embrace the new reality. With support from lottery advisors Ben and George, Helen starts to shape a plan—but when romance blossoms between her and Ben, things become far more complicated.

After another big shock, Helen’s world begins to unravel and soon she realises that secrecy comes at a price. A ruthless journalist is determined to expose her and, as the pressure mounts, she is forced to confront what real wealth means.

By navigating love, loss, and the results of her decisions, will Helen discover what truly matters in life?

This event is free, but you are invited to make a donation to support Brown Books Community Bookshop and Luton Literature CIC.

Space is limited and so it must be booked in advance and max two places can be reserved per booking.

Tea, coffee and refreshments will be available to purchase on the evening.

Please arrive at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start.

This event is free, but you are invited to make a donation to support Brown Books Community Bookshop and Luton Literature CIC.

Space is limited and so it must be booked in advance and max two places can be reserved per booking.Tea, coffee and refreshments will be available to purchase on the evening.

Please arrive at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start.

Lyn Asquith always dreamed of being an author. Now a retired Human Resources officer, she is fulfi lling that wish. Born in Hertfordshire, she spent her childhood holidays in Essex—the nostalgic settings for her debut novel—and still visits often. Now living in Bedfordshire with her family, Lyn fi lls her free time with singing, travelling, and learning Spanish.

Lyn explains: “‘Time To Fly’ is inspired by my own thoughts of what I would do if I won the National Lottery. It’s a question many of us may consider: what would we spend the money on; would we be happy with the publicity and, if so, what impact would it have on our life? If we chose to keep our win a secret, is that achievable?

"My idea came as I pondered whether to buy a midweek ticket for a rollover as well as my usual Saturday one. First I imagined all the big new things I would buy, how I would help family, friends, and others less fortunate, and that I would return every penny in a heartbeat, if it could bring back lost loved ones.

"But then I considered the potential pitfalls and dreaded drawbacks of winning big. For example, would all family and friends expect a share, what is an appropriate amount, would they want more, and would it actually solve others' problems? If you were publicised, would both existing and new friends behave differently towards you, what would constant media coverage mean each day, and could you even become a potential kidnap target? And perhaps more importantly, would a fortune change you and your relationships, especially if you stayed anonymous but felt really isolated, guilty, and unable to spend or share?

"I was surprised to discover there are very few fi ctional tales about this and I believe the dilemmas posed in my book will resonate with many, perhaps sparking an interesting debate. When I tell people about it, they ask if it is based on someone I know or had I actually won the lottery? Well, if I had, I would want to maintain my anonymity and secretly help others, so obviously wouldn’t confess, now would I?”

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