My sister S eagerly led me up the stairs.

A wonderful surprise greeted us when she pushed open her bedroom door. Behind it was a bright, airy space, completely free of clutter. The only furniture was the yellow formica table from the upstairs kitchen at our childhood home. This was covered with a blue tartan rug. My sister was rightly proud of all her efforts to clear her bedroom.

My only query was about the heating. Were seven wall-mounted gas fires absolutely necessary to keep the room warm?