I felt slightly apprehensive, when we entered the posh part of Chelsea. After all, what kind of bookshop could they possibly have? ‘They’ of course being the faceless mass of the rich.

Well, they have John Sandoe.

It is charming, friendly, and stacked with books. One of those shops that need sliding bookshelves to be able to store them all; and beautiful bookshelves they were too. There was even a desk up there among them. I felt very strongly that this would be an excellent place to write a book in. John Sandoe – if you’re reading this, think about it. It would be perfect! Your very own inhouse writer – sort of like a library cat, although perhaps not quite as cute. I could even try to look serious and literary when customer walked buy, or earn my keep by rearranging your bookshelves, carrying piles of books around, asking anyone who passes by if the need any help. And no matter how bad my writing is going, I promise never to harrass the customers looking for advice.

I have already tried to convince them about this on Twitter, and I think I had some success:

@katarinabivald @LandRBookshop We’ve had actors learning lines here before

— John Sandoe (Books) (@JohnSandoe) February 18, 2015

That was unfortunately the last I heard from them, but I’m sure they’re thinking about it as we speak.

Their book recommendation? Maxim Leo’s Red Love – The Story of an East German Family