Quick call the council, there’s a rat in Islington.

This story still makes me laugh, an old favourite that dates to the early 90s. I was a single woman with a new job and a newish car, happily house-sitting in Islington thanks to a good friend.

And in those days Islington, North London was considered an up and coming area, a desirable place to live.

After several years of renting and sharing with others, it was a huge privilege and relief to have some accommodation for myself. An incredible piece of good fortune, especially after some of the places I had lived in…