This is the first time I have used the beautiful manuscript book Simon gave me—and the fountain pen which came from him yesterday. A scarlet pen and a blue and gold leather-bound book—what could be more inspiring? But I seemed to get on better with a stump of pencil and Stephen’s fat, shilling exercise book.… I keep closing my eyes and basking—that is, my body basks; my mind is restless. I go backwards and forwards, recapturing the past, wondering about the future—and, most unreasonably, I find myself longing for the past more than for the future.
