- Letter no 1

You remember my friend Izzy, don't you, the blonde one with that infectious laugh and the raucous voice? Well, she's told me she's going to leave Hampshire and her job, so that they can permanently move to France. They've bought a place in the Vendee. Who knows, perhaps we'll meet there one of these days? I should like to practise my French in France. As you know, I have French friends with whom I have never yet spoken French. We always speak English when we meet up; quite a pity, really.

Talking of French: I'm reading Hilary Mantel again, this time her book about the French Revolution, ‘A Place of Greater Safety', naturally in English. My son has also finally lent me her book “Wolf Hall”. It's the story of Thomas Cromwell and his king, Henry VIII. She's a remarkable writer and a meticulous historian. Another quite different book which I enjoyed last week was “L'Amant” by Marguerite Duras. She had the most extraordinary life. I'll have to finish now. Bye for now!

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