Well, last year was a difficult one for us here, so I’m hoping 2026 will be kinder. The main thing about 2026 is that oldest grandchild is turning 17 in April and already has his provisional licence in preparation for driving lessons. We’re buying him a block of 10 for his birthday. Of course, what you do for one, you have to do for the others. Lord knows how much it’s going to cost when the youngest is ready to drive in 2038.

Anyway, I’m scheduled to attend some writers’ events over the next couple of months, starting with the Cheshire Crime Writers’ festival on 7th/8th February, which I’m looking forward to immensely. It’s so nice to talk to like-minded people. Not that family are unsupportive, but they don’t share my enthusiasm for 1970s policing. Guess which one’s me in the picture of my class from 1976.

I hope 2026 treats everyone well