Wednesday 29th March 2017

Boarding the aircraft for London, I said to Reggie Cresswell, ‘I think Harry would keep “British Airways”, were he to become ruler, but would add ‘Imperial.’ In Ireland we devoted time to the interesting question of how Harry Rollo would rule. ‘It would be very unfair,’ Reggie said. But unbelievably dazzling. The Soirées at Court, the diamonds, the quality, the great vistas of Majesty. Those without, of deficient standard, would not suffer. Harry would have a kindly word every now and again and receive adoration, of course. In the event of a riot, a really good bread and cheese supper would be laid on at trestle tables in the park but nothing would halt the swish of Greatnesses passing over parquet.

The other thing I forgot was Reggie’s bidding. Every spare moment he was scrolling through. Online auction catalogues, you know. Bids were placed in Germany and possibly in Sussex. It turned out that Reggie is familiar with many unlikely neighbourhoods, owing to his having bid at auctions in them. West Norwood, for instance, where Rosebery’s is. Also extremely près to the former residence of Val in Thornlaw Road. The station there Val re-named West Norwood International, having once seen the Orient Express passing through it. ‘West Norwood International,’ Val would declaim in his West Norwood days, ‘with connections to Moscow, Constantinople, Samarkand and beyond…’

Anyway, Reggie was seeking art: perhaps an 18th century oil (quite small) of two fighting men or other Old Masters of distinction by good but lesser known artists. I urge you to take up art. Your efforts have a better chance of arousing interest at auction in a few hundred years time than some old bit of writing.