Antonia Forest fans

I don't think I said that Ann has a particularly conservative viewpoint. I may have expressed myself badly, but I meant that AF did generally (if in a rather eccentric way) and the Marlows and Merricks often follow her on this. It does seem clear that Edward is very unhappy in care, and desperately wants to return to his father in Switzerland where he grew up and seems to have had a pretty normal, contented life (despite his father's dubious behaviour in snatching him). The Marlows except Ann strongly believe that Edward's opinions and feelings should come before social work doctrine or debatable legalities. I'd say AF essentially follows them in this, although she possibly does introduce some ambiguity. Richenda's comment that children's views would probably be taken more seriously now than in 1982 is interesting - I didn't know this, and it is good to know.