Killing Timeis a gift of a short story from Alan Bennett a glorious, darkly comic treat.

A mini-masterpiece. THE TIMES
Full of wit and style. OBSERVER
Aterrific cast of characters, and secrets and chaos aplenty. iNEWS
A geriatricLord of the Flies. SPECTATOR

We have a choir and on special occasions a glass of dry sherry. Its less of a homeand more of a club and very much a community.

Hill Topp House is a superior council home for the elderly. Among the unforgettable residents are Mr Cresswell the ex-cruise ship hairdresser, Mr Peckover the deluded archaeologist, and the enterprising Mrs Foss. Covid is the cause of fatalities and the source of darkly comic confusion, but its also the key to liberation. As staff are hospitalised, protocol breaks down and the surviving residents seize their moment, to scamper freely, arthritis allowing, in the warmth of the summer sun.

Violet? Shell be having a little lie-down, said Mrs McBryde. She likes to give herpacemaker a rest. Ill rout her out.

THESUNDAY TIMESBESTSELLER.