Holding on to a metal bar, she will swing through the air as part of today’s two-hour lesson in flying trapeze at Gorilla Circus in Regent’s Park, London. As one of the UK’s most successful and highly acclaimed children’s writers, Rundell spends much of her professional life swinging between abject fear and raucous joy. In novels such as Rooftoppers, The Wolf Wilder and her Costa Children’s Award-winning book The Explorer, her characters often face physical or emotional danger, but always — often with the help of unexpected friendships — manage to conquer their fears and prevail.