My first book was published in 1987. It was called School Portrait. And when it came out I used to go into bookshops, find it on the shelves, shift it so that it was more noticeable, and then loiter hoping I’d one day see someone pick it up and start to read it.

I never did.

But yesterday a much respected English teacher and academic colleague, Kelli McGraw, sent me this photo.

Then came this message:

“I'm wrapped in a cozy blue blanket, snuggled on my cozy blue lounge, reading about a cocoon. I already like the characters.”

It’s like being in the bookshop in 1987, only this time someone has picked up my book. And is reading it.

This kind of experience is such a pleasure for an author.