Dear Mary: Should I rename my grandmother’s dog to avoid offense?

Q. I have been offered a cottage, at minimal rent, on the estate of a friend of a friend who had got wind of my current unsatisfactory domestic arrangements. I am supposed to move in shortly but now I have looked more closely at the picturesque dwelling I find it is blighted by the typically low ceilings which characterise estate workers’ cottages. It is something that I — and our mutual friend — should have thought of.

I am 6ft 6in and banging my head on beams is likely to be a major problem. How can I tactfully withdraw without making a fool of myself over the intemperance of my gushing acceptance when the offer was made — and particularly without upsetting my would-be benefactor?
— Name and address withheld

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Matthew Lynn

Spain will regret its 100 per cent expat property tax

A. You should not allow mental inflexibility to cheat you of such an opportunity.