I'm shivering with you, Michelle--well, perhaps the sainted one has arrived by now and you're defrosted.

Are you, not your husband, responsible for arranging the boiler's service? When I read that, I felt a twinge of anxiety. I don't think ours has been serviced, but I relegate that sort of thing--manly stuff--to my partner and I'm wondering how conscientious he is . . . or perhaps he's relegated it to me. We should probably talk.

I love your fireplace and the idea of having one in the hall.