Through a stormy July weekend our task was to prevent four feisty grandchildren from murdering or mutilating each other before being returned to their parents, so we gave them £3 each to spend at the local car-boot sale. After two hours, the three girls returned with two teddy bears (one the size of a sheep), a folding chair, a catapult, an electric hair curler and an Osmonds LP. Our grandson, clearly a future City wheeler-dealer, employed his wistful ‘I’m sorry, I haven’t got that much’ routine to such effect that he came back with an Xbox, a crossbow (fortunately for his sisters’ health with no arrows), two battery-powered staplers (don’t ask) and a pristine chess set. Mrs Oakley, too, asked for funds and for her £2 she returned triumphantly with two elegantly expensive crystal glasses. It is all about having an eye for quality.
West Ilsley trainer Denis Coakley has that, too.
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