Muriel Spark's playful and autobiographical novel set amid London's post-war publishing scene.

War widow Mrs Hawkins enjoys her life; her rooms suit her, she cherishes good friends and holds a coveted job working with books.

But when an author starts to make a nuisance of himself, her life will change beyond recognition.

Omnibus of the first five of ten episodes abridged by Rosemary Goring.

Read by Maggie Service.

Producer: Eilidh McCreadie.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2018. Show less