things move around

are sanguine. My father couldnt get through flooded roads to his optician’s appointment, he’s concerned about his potatoes. But apart from that… “We’re not worried,” my mum says. “We are insured.” They are safe on the high ground of the prudent and cautious.

Although of modest means, my parents have always saved, planned, strived to forestall disaster. If the floods are Britain’s Hurricane Katrina and Yorkshire our ignored

- Obverse of a clipping from the letters page of a British newspaper.