'Home looks nice. Allus does though, don't it? Perfick'

And so the Larkins - Pop, Ma, Mariette, Zinnia, Petunia, Primrose, Victoria and Montgomery - return from an outing for fish and chips and ice cream one May evening. There, amid the rustic charms of home, they discover a visitor: one Cedric Charlton, Her Majesty's inspector of taxes.

Mr Charlton is visiting to find out why junk-dealer Pop hasn't paid his tax - but nothing's that simple at the Larkins. Mariette takes a shine to 'Charley' - as Pop calls him - and before long the family have introduced the uncomplaining inspector to the delights of country living: the lusty scents of wild flowers, the pleasures of a bottle of Dragon's Blood, cold cream dribbled over a bowl of strawberries and hot, hot summer nights.

In fact, soon Charley can't see any reason to return to the office at all . . .

I bought myself a copy of this as it sounds delightful. Hope you enjoy it too!

I've never read this, though I've always meant to .... Thank you so much. I know I'll enjoy reading it. Will let you know how it goes. xxx

This was just "perfick"! I loved it. Such a delightful and happy read. I needed this distraction and read it very quickly too. There were some laugh out loud moments and I couldn't stop smiling at other times. Thanks soooo much ukanaus for sending it over.