A thoroughly entertaining lighthearted book which I enjoyed a great deal more than Ben's first book of coach holidays with his grandmother. Winnie is 85 and a pure delight, intelligent, eccentric and quirky but also lonely after the death of her husband and rattling around in a large house in South London. Ben takes a room in the house at a very reduced rate in exchange for companionship and help around the house. The story being set during the latter half of 2020 and most of 2021 involves a time when we all endured further lockdowns and restrictions plus Winnie's very real problem of having her eldest son in the care system. A different perspective on lockdown with these unlikely housemates, I shall miss Winnie and Ben and would love an update.

I first read a book by Ben Aitken during lockdown when he travels with his Grandmother which I thoroughly enjoyed.

This is a lovely, gentle book with plenty of humour. For reasons not quite clear, Ben goes to live in Winnie's house. The rent is keen - all he needs to do is help 85 year old Winnie. She's a spiky intelligent woman used to living her own busy life, looking after her large home recently widowed after 50 years of marriage. Marmalade looms large in the story. It's a different perspective on lockdown and living your best life no matter what age you are.