Now that little boy Christopher who we have so recently learned about is thinking very hard. He is quite delighted with the tale of Kenneth and thrilled by the cheekiness of Simon. But, he wants to know more!

Was Simon as frightened of leaving his Mummy as he is every morning? Were there things at school that frightened Kenneth? Christopher can’t bear the thought of Gym lessons. He can’t explain to anyone in words what he doesn’t like but he gets very upset on Mondays and Thursday when he knows it’s time for PE. Was there something at school that Kenneth couldn’t do? Did it frighten him to have to try? Do you think that Simon just got used to going to school and that was why he was happy at school in Malaya?

Christopher sometimes gets very cross with his parents and sisters. This especially happens when he is told that he can’t do or have something he particularly wants! We did wonder whether Christopher might be related to that boy that bit because he has, when thwarted, sunk his pearly little nashers into his mother’s thigh. Being from T’ North she said some very impolite words and sent Christopher out of the room. Later he was found lying on the rug in the hall biting a shoe!!

Of course Christopher has learnt quite a few tricks from his sisters. The eldest Claire is very, very bouncy. Rather like an animal called “Tigger” that we read about somewhere else. She doesn’t stand still for very long and when she is standing still suddenly her leg flies out behind her, she is practising her pirouettes!! Claire can hold on to the edge of her bunk bed and somehow flick up her legs so she turns herself in a somersault, it is very disturbing to be in the room when she does this, her father thinks it is more disturbing to be in the room below as she occasionally misses her hand hold!! Claire has very kindly been training Christopher to do this trick.

There are several other tricks involving trees and small boys that I’m sure you will not want to hear all about. But tree climbing is a specialty of all the children in this “Morris” household.

Sophie is the middle child. She recognized from a very early age that this is a particularly important role in the life of any family. She was well advised by a friend, Stephen Kuhrt, that to survive as a middle child she had to make sure that everyone knew she was there. Some middle children do this by being loud, bossy and having opinions on everything (this was the method advised by Stephen) others, and Sophie is one of these, try to make life as awkward as possible for the rest of the family. For example there’s always someone to be slightly negative about any adventure, or who manages to forget to bring an important item.

So Sophie can moan for England she also reminds me of a character from a book “Eeyore” I think. Do you know, once, Sophie went to school swimming lessons wearing her swimming costume, but she forgot to take her knickers!!(Don’t tell her I told you that!) Sophie sadly is also the sister who broke Christopher’s china Thomas the Tank Engine cereal bowl (A gift, I might, add from an old lady living in Portsmouth with whom Sophie has more than a passing resemblance).

So as you can imagine there are quite a few influences in Christopher’s life. He has a rather shy and retiring mummy who creeps around the house caring for the family, cleaning, tidying and cooking for them all. She simply can’t wait for them all to arrive home in the evening so that she can wash and iron their clothes. She is such a quiet little thing that stays at home all day so you can see why Christopher has such difficulty leaving her when he goes to school. Christopher when at home likes to sit and think, usually whilst playing with trains and some of the many small cars he leaves around for his daddy to stand on. We think he is a bit like “Pooh”.