True story: A pair of adorable little Dickensian style orphans turned up at the higgidy kitchen door last night. “Can we have some pies please?” they asked all big teeth and dimples. “What sort of pies?” we replied. “Chicken please”.

I fetched them down a couple of chicken and leek pot pies from the fridge. “Fanks mister” said the orphans and disappeared off up the road, evidently pleased with themselves. We watched from the window as they started munching. How wonderful to be a piemaker.