Secret reading

SIR – When restoring our medieval cottage, my wife and I took down a flimsy internal wall and found a walk-in space behind the chimney.

There was not much there except a book borrowed from a local shop library. The date stamped for its return was August 8 1918. Between that and the earliest (March 1917) there are 38 date stamps, indicating that Given in Marriage by B M Croker was either very popular or constantly renewed.

The shop no longer exists, so paying a fine (Comment, July 10) is not an option.

The shelved space proved useful and has – of course – been known ever since as the library. There the book has pride of place. Who knows? One day I may even get round to reading it.

Sudbury, Suffolk