On Saturday 20th December a hand-addressed envelope arrived in the
morning mail. It was a Christmas card and, although it was not signed, I
recognised Leonard’s distinctive handwriting as soon as I opened it. I was
touched by the kind gesture but I was disappointed that I had neglected to post
a card in return and I hoped that I had not offended him by being so remiss.
The picture on the front of the card was Boris Kustodiev’s Christmas Journey and the verse inside read ‘With Season’s
Greetings and all good wishes for the New Year’, beneath which Leonard had
added:
“and all the years ahead of you... Kustodiev was a great admirer of the
Brueghels and some Impressionists and it shows…. Don’t you think!?!”
