Bernard, I have been an avid fan of your books for some time now. It all started with the Arthur series, and has continued unabated. I live in South East Essex, having resided in Southend and more recently, Ashingdon for the past few years. Am I right in thinking that you also were initially ‘raised’ in this locality? If so, what impact did your upbringing/local enviroment have on your subsequent novels? Do you ever get the chance to return to Essex or are your ties here broken now? Kind regards, Malcolm