Laura's 9 but she still believes in Father Christmas. At least, she says she does. I'm not convinced she isn't playing along with us, a) so as not to upset any one and b) to get more presents, but she declares that Father Christmas is alive and well. Vicky, apparently, said Father Christmas is really your dad leaving your presents out for you but Laura said, in that 9-going-on-34 patronising sort of voice she adopts for these occasions, along with the raised eyebrows and the slight smile, "Well I believe in him, Vicky. You believe what you like but he's very real to me."

Anyway, we went late afternoon shopping in Warrington when she'd finished school the other day. There's a beautiful new addition to Golden Square,...

West Ender