Ruffian On The Stair

'It is a measure of Bawden's skill, that she manages to show both the terrors of extreme longevity and its comic potential' THE TIMES

'An upper-middle class version of Mike Leigh's Secrets and Lies' INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY

'Bawden has a penetraing eye for both the insalubrious and gorgeous detail, homing in with language that is always crisp and precise' GUARDIAN

In six days, Silas Mudd will celebrate his 100th birthday. He is alarmingly healthy and tough as old boots - which is more than can be said of his son Will. 'Not sure he'll make old bones,' Silas confides loudly to Coral, his daughter-in-law. Grumpily flattered by the fuss over his impending party - even from his irritating family, Silas' greater pleasure is 'to go over his life' and the women whom he loved and who made trouble for him: his sterling and capable Aunt; his wonderfully vulgar second wife Bella; Molly, a music-hall singing sister; and Effie, his first and hopeless wife.

But there is no doubt that Silas's son and his two daughters will be at the party. Best outfits and good form are what they think Silas wants served up, and they dare not disappoint him. This is not a family that reveals disturbing thoughts or truths.

Silas is the only one left who knows exactly what is shoring up his family. So he sits, waiting and thinking, wondering what would happen if he were to tell.