Having exorcised the awful wallpaper, the hideous lead light window (portraying the late owner’s wife as a mermaid…) the speckled holly hedge and other acts of vandalism committed by the previous owners – Nichols sets about restoring the Georgian manor Merry Hall the gardens to their former glory while braving the wrath of village locals who regarded the inappropriate building additions as a monument to the former owner’s – the late Mr Stebbings – ‘good taste.’  As always, Beverley is accompanied by his beloved pet cats who, of course, have their say on all improvements. Illustrated by William McLaren.