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Bill Bryson

I was born in the United States but I have written several travel books about England. I lived there with my wife and four children for 20 years, but for the last three years we have lived in the United States. Our children are now learning about life in the United States. I’m sure they will be happier because they have lived in two countries. I like Britain and I want to return, but my daughter, Felicity, is going to start college here soon, so it won’t be for another four years.

I have just been to England for six weeks to work on a radio programme about the English language and also to talk about the book I’ve just written. Most writers don’t like doing this; they don’t like travelling around the country, selling their book. I don’t mind it. I like visiting new places and meeting lots of people. It’s very different from the life I have in the United States when I’m writing. In England, people drove me around in big cars and I stayed in expensive hotels. It was good because I didn’t have to pay any bills. Everyone was kind to me and it was fun.

Dear Mr Landers,

I run 'Snips' hairdressing shop above Mr Shah's chemist's shop at 24 High Street. I started the business 20 years ago and it is now very successful. My customers have to walk through the chemist's to the stairs at the back which lead to the hairdresser's. This has never been a problem.

Mr Shah plans to retire later this year, and I have heard from a business acquaintance that you intend to rent the shop space to a hamburger bar. I have thought about trying to rent it myself and make my shop bigger but I cannot persuade anyone to lend me that much money. I don't know what to do. My customers come to the hairdresser's to relax and the noise and smells of a burger bar will surely drive them away. Also, they won't like having to walk through a hot, smelly burger bar to reach the stairs.

I have always paid my rent on time. You have told me in the past that you wish me to continue with my business for as long as possible. I believe you own another empty shop in the High Street. Could the burger bar not go there, where it would not affect other people's businesses?