Confession time, James. Our daughter wanted to be a photographer. She's always had an eye for detail and the ridiculous. But at the time it wasn't a university course, so I steered her away from that.

I look back now and wonder what was in my head.

For her last birthday I asked her to give me a hint about what she would really like.

No prizes for guessing. She loved it and my guilt was to some extent, assuaged.

I imagine the ceramicist is doing well.