Hi Bernard, just to say thanks for filling in my ‘bait time’ with your superb writing, although the other lads can hardly read they love hearing what happens in Sharpe’s life from me and the apprentices have all got a fascination with Ferragus! I just wanted to ask, among the young working class in England, well, Cumbria, there seems to be a stigma attached to reading…I get called the Professor from my mates because I read paperbacks…..do you think there could be a way of getting them to have a go so I don’t have to relay it to them all the time? Sorry if it’s a shit question but Ive had a few pints this after. It is New Years day! All the best mate…keep up the good work! Scott Clague, 29, glass cutting supervisor Workington Cumbria