On Monday, 10 October, Tessa Boase returned to the former Simpsons department store in Piccadilly, now Waterstones’ London flagship, for her own book launch party - but this time to the Fifth Floor, where for the department store’s opening in 1936 no fewer than three aeroplanes were on display, including the Flying Flea, and nowadays there is the smart Fifth View bar, with a fabulous view over the London rooftops.