The summer solstice has now passed and ‘Flaming June’ has been flaming. The recent heatwave has been intense and following May’s abnormal heat, the combined effect has been very damaging to many trees, shrubs and plants. They will have to be cleared out in the autumn, but for now, the cooling onshore breezes make life ambling on the beach at low tide bearable.

We have had great drama with a seagull family which has taken up residence on our roof. There are three chicks wittily named as Hubble Bubble and Trouble. The latter, being too bold for its own good, fell off the roof while showing off to its siblings. Much screeching and flapping from the parents ensued while Hubble and Bubble called plaintively for the missing’s return. It looked a goner. But we found it the next day sitting by the downpipe – smart move as he could have a drink. Trouble was carefully lifted back onto the roof by my kind neighbour to join the family, so all is well. It’s the real fledging drama next.

Despite the heat, the garden has much vibrant colour and Chelsea Blue has got to be this month’s look. Magnificent artichoke flower, and the blue hydrangeas and agapanthuses, which are common in these parts, are so good.

There are a few dazzlers, particularly the fiery orange cannas, the bright yellow mallows, and the combined hues of both in a nasturtium that popped out from under. And of course, the pinks still a feature in the other hydrangeas, rosa rugosa and carpet rose.

Work on the new book Project Angie continues around entering competitions for Louisa’s Lament.

This month I’ve been researching the difference between psychopathic, machiavellian and narcissistic traits as all three feature in my story of clinical fraudsters. The psychological research shows they overlap but normally one trait leads. This has been my experience in working life amongst those with professional backgrounds. Currently an estimated 1% of the UK population has psychopathic traits. Given 25% of these are in prison, that leaves a lot of dysfunctional people who are working in organisations.

The summer promises to be a long hot one especially as I recall those recidivists who I’m writing about.

Come back next month for more news of organisational delinquents and my seaside garden in all its summer glory.