Getting to know...Ann Cleeves

Crime writer Ann Cleeves, 68, author of the Vera Stanhope novels, talks about her passion for working and walking

- SUE CRAWFORD

My biggest life-changing event was dropping out of university. If I'd stayed, I'd probably have followed a very conventional professional life. Instead, I ended up as a cook in the bird observatory on Fair Isle in Shetland. I met my husband, Tim, there, and his work took us to the tidal island nature reserve of Hilbre, where I started writing.

Most of my decisions have been spontaneous! Tim and I decided to get married during my second year on Fair Isle. We hadn't spent much time together. He'd been working in Wales for the summer, and we'd only kept in touch by letter. But, after a boozy evening with two lightkeepers on the island, marriage suddenly seemed like a good idea. We were together for more than 40 years.