STAIRWAY FROM HELL

We had three enormous firepersons here this afternoon to give fire prevention advice and fit new smoke alarms. I told them about our fire-escape ladder for climbing out of the 2nd floor dormer window (we sleep at the top of a 3-storey townhouse, with one route out) and how we'd have to be utterly desperate to use it since we're both scared of heights and somewhat portly, and they promised to turn up very quickly if called and rescue us with their ladders. I'm glad they didn't want to see our ladder, as it's so appallingly dusty up on top of the wardrobe. Spring cleaning is just around the corner!