The Twyford Code

by Janice Hallett

We learn from the knowledge of others and reading is a big part of that for most people. So if you can’t do it, there’s an assumption you must be stupid. Now, I may not be well read, but I know about the world. I’ve lived. I’ve had experiences and watched a lot of very interesting documentaries, especially over the last few years. I’d also like to say that I consider myself an articulate person.

And if you’ve heard a word once, you can use it yourself as often as you like from then on.

For all those years I didn’t miss what I’d never had. Didn’t feel the need to read sentences. I could wing it. If I got caught out I’d say, oh I’ve lost my glasses, could you read it for me? It has its plus side too. Think about it. If you need to remember something, you write it down. I couldn’t—and still can’t—but it means I remember things. My memory is much better than yours, I’ll bet. That’s why missiles plays on my mind, because there’s so much of that time I CAN’T remember. Or forgotten. Can’t remember. Forgotten. Or never knew.

Over time the mystery has grown in people’s minds, he says, it’s human nature. If something’s just out of reach it becomes the very thing you think will make your life complete.

A shocking 50 percent of UK prisoners either struggle to read or are completely illiterate.

Because it’s thanks to Enid Blyton falling out of favor that I discovered reading. If no one had sent their Famous Five books to the 3rd Northolt Scout jumble sales of the 1970s, I would never have picked them up and taken them back to a home with no other books in it—and you would not be holding this one now.