I'm afraid after 17/18 years in London, I came up here 3/4 years ago and I have to face the brutal truth...

it's not very interesting.

Well meaning. Nice at times. People are kind...

But no, my work has reminded me with stark clarity; The Smoke, with all her old cruelties and strange dreams, may not be home, but she's still the one.

You are right about beauty for sure. And yet sometimes, to have a little of that vacuous allure is a tempting wish!