FT258


I was a bright, solitary child blessed with a vivid imagination. I lived in a small village and there were few children my own age. I spent much of my free time alone, playing in the garden or the wild area round the back of our house.

My mother, a primary school teacher, has told me that she was aware that many children had invisible friends, but she was surprised that I seemed to have a multitude – at least a dozen! This group of quasi-corporeal companions (QCCs) seemed to be older children or possibly adults and all had slightly old-fashioned names such as Henry (I think he was my favourite), Peter and George.