I couldn’t reach the department at the University of Sheffield because they had made no provision for anyone who suffered from claustrophobia when designing the entrance to the building. I told PC that I was far too frightened to squeeze myself through the tiny stone opening.

One of the librarians came to my rescue. She explained that I had not ventured far enough into the lobby. Once there, I could see a perfectly ordinary door frame and door. It was no bother at all to enter the department.

AM, looking well and smartly dressed in a pink wool coat, ambushed me the moment I put my foot over the threshold. It was a great, though unexpected, surprise to see her in Sheffield.