A Promise Of Ankles Av Alexander Mccall Smith

<p><b>Book 14 in the delightful 44 Scotland Street series, by worldwide bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith</b><br><br>At the bottom of a sharply descending street - in the topographical sense - in Edinburgh''s Georgian New Town, new residents have moved in to number 44 Scotland Street, joining the already well-known and much-loved denizens of that remarkable building. They appear to be a bit of a mystery, but so, too, do other things. What exactly did Sister Maria-Fiore, the aphorism-coining socialite nun, find on the No. 23 bus? Could it be the remains of a hitherto unknown Neanderthal, <i>homo Watsoniensis</i>? <br><br>On the romantic front, long-suffering Stuart''s hopes of kindling a new relationship are dashed, thanks to chino-wearing narcissist Bruce, effortlessly exercising his powers of charm. The Promised Land beckons for Bertie who is off to Glagow for a school exchange that takes him doon the watter. Back in Edinburgh, the Duke of Johannesburg''s desire to learn a new language, involving his Gaelic-speaking driver Padruig, has gone horribly wrong; to be immersed in a language, it seems, can be a captivating linguistic mistake. And the patrons of Big Lou''s cafe are in for a gastronomic treat. In other words, everything in Edinburgh is absolutely normal.<br><br><b>''Perfect escapism'' </b><i>Sunday Times</i>, South Africa<br><br><b>''A vividly surreal cast of outlandish characters [and] McCall Smith''s wonderfully wry delivery'' </b><i>Scottish Field</i></p>