As Hazel’s husband, I got only her version of events at Central and I don’t remember her telling me about the rat incident – although, given we had moved into what had been a derelict building in 1978 and were still doing it up when our first two children were born in 1980 and 1982, she might not have wanted to admit that her anxieties about the building extended beyond having nightmares about dry rot (true!) which was in the building and which we had had to eradicate.

I ought to be fair to Hazel apropos your tale of her obtaining a chair at Westminster. She moved there from Central as a senior lecturer but then obtained quite shortly afterwards the position of head of the Psychology Department, which I recall being described as Chair of the Department, a description that raised expectations that the incumbent would be a Professor. However, she was not appointed Professor until some years later.

I never knew Hazel had come across as a nervous first time lecturer to her students although I knew she was always anxious to ensure she was well prepared. The only feedback I had (why do I call it “feedback”? I had no expectation as the spouse of a lecturer to any information on how well or otherwise she was doing) was from Elaine, the head of the Speech Therapy Department at Central, who told me that Hazel was a natural teacher. But I know she was very fond of that first cohort at Central and I knew of your existence as the only guy in the year – and, having thought at the time you occupied an enviable position, am very sorry that you only once had it off during your time at Central!

But thank you for your appreciation of Hazel.