I realise that the above reproduction is probably illegal. But I do it as a tribute to a very fine writer, Andrew O'Hagan who wrote an excellent (though tragic) book called Be Near Me. Considerately, it's all about trying to be a priest in small town Scotland. So perfect fodder for my Richard Eyre tribute exercise for my cast tonight.

I'm softening the blow with a Jewish new year honey cake. (A sweetened cake to wish sweetnesses for the year ahead.) I gather Mum's been baking too. So they'll all be nothing if not fat by the time we get to Dumfries.