All social workers want is to get everyone involved in a programme. Because a programme provides full employment for three generations of social workers. And they mess up.

It is all down to employment law. In the US if you are made redundant three or four times that is normal, but in Europe there is a stigma.

Do you ever plan to grow up, Veltan?” he asked.

“Not if I can avoid it, no.

I get up at an unholy hour in the morning my work day is completed by the time the sun rises. I have a slightly bad back which has made an enormous contribution to American literature.

Call it my little gesture toward social conscience, but I like to think I'm teaching a certain number of people to read. Now that sounds pretentious!