A costume SOS this morning from one of my daughters. My granddaughter has decided she wishes to go to her school’s National Book Day dressed as Anne from the Famous Five books. Anne? Great heavens. She’s the one who not only makes sure they leave their campsite as they found it but probably runs a…

I’m currently sleeping with Anton Chekhov. By which I mean, I try to stay awake for at least half an hour after assuming the recumbent position so I can re-read some more of A Life in Letters.  Chekhov never wrote his autobiography  –  dying at the age of 44 he hardly had time  –  but…