By JOSHUA HAINING, NEWS REPORTER

Published: 21:55 BST, 28 August 2026 | Updated: 23:20 BST, 28 August 2026

Spanish flag-waving Ceuta locals have stormed a makeshift migrant camp and set it on fire amid rising tensions about the ‘invasion’ of the enclave.

Residents in the North African enclave remain up in arms after more than 70,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco last month.

There has been growing frustration amongst locals over the handling of the situation in Ceuta which culminated with an attack on the makeshift camp.  

Video footage shows thousands of locals charging down and destroying the camp on Thursday as droves of worried migrants watch on.

Advertisement

Residents can be seen throwing migrants’ belongings including bags into the water before unfurling Spanish flags and waving them. 

The furious locals also torched the camp located on the beach before police created a barrier between the protesters and migrants. 

As the protest intensified, police did not appear to intervene and instead stood mere feet away as chants were shouted in the background.

Although most migrants have now returned to Morocco, between 3,500 and 7,000 people remain in Ceuta, with many resorting to making shanty towns on the beach. 

Advertisement

Thousands of residents on Ceuta stormed a makeshift migrant camp and set it on fire

Locals threw migrants’ belongings including bags into the sea before unfurling Spanish flags

The furious locals on the Spanish enclave torched and destroyed the camp as demonstrations intensified

Advertisement

Spain’s interior minister has since called for calm after the camp was destroyed during the protest against the mass influx of migrants. 

‘Violence is not the answer,’ Fernando Grande-Marlaska told Spanish parliament today. 

‘I call for calm and an end to any form of violence, because violence is not the way to resolve any problem with the complexity’ of the situation in Ceuta, he added.

Demonstrations held by Ceuta residents have increased in recent days with protesters clashing with police on a beach where migrants slept on Thursday.

Advertisement

A soldier was also injured in a separate incident on Thursday when migrants hurled stones at troops and 12 arrests were made.

Juan Vivas, the head of Ceuta’s local government, said peaceful protests against the migrants were justified but any acts of vandalism would be condemned.

‘We totally reject the use of any kind of violence,’ he said during an address.

‘No one can or should take the law into their own hands. The defence of Ceuta and the interests of its people can only be pursued through legality.’ 

Advertisement

Hundreds of worried migrants watched on as police assembled a barrier between the protesters

The attack on the camp comes after residents clashed with police on the enclave in recent days

Despite most of the migrants returning to their native countries, some have stayed and set up shanty town encampments on the beach

But Right-wing and far-Right parties have demanded that the government immediately round up the migrants and send them back to their native countries.

Advertisement

Mr Grande-Marlaska accused those political parties of ‘inciting hatred’ on the Spanish enclave ahead of the general election next year.

Spanish Government Delegation officials held a meeting on Wednesday to establish a response plan for the remaining migrants, with guards stationed at the entrance to prohibit protesters entering.

The meeting came as more than 2,000 residents protested, first gathering around 6pm outside the Military Hospital, which is one of the locations set to accommodate the migrants in the government’s contingency plan.

On Tuesday hundreds of residents marched through the streets, criticising the central government’s handling of the migrants in Ceuta.

Advertisement

Following the protest, the government took steps to speed up the return of thousands of migrants still in the Spanish territory after a declaration the migrant situation was a matter of interest to national security.

As such Spain’s cabinet approved the creation of a ‘single command’ for Ceuta, to be led by territorial policy minister Angel Victor Torres, which allows resources from various administrations to be organised and coordinated under a single structure. 

Kyle Gibson, known as Kyle V Food and regularly shares reviews of restaurants, takeaways and food venues with thousands of followers on social media, recently returned to Lucky 88 Chinese Takeaway in Billingham to put its menu to the test.

In a video shared online, the viral man described the venue as “one of my favourite Chinese takeaways in Teesside”.

Kyle, who boasts over 236,000 TikTok followers, also said that the ribs were “spot on” and claimed the “satay sauce was honestly the best.”

He recommends the prawn toast, chicken skewer, and mixed sweet chilli with prawn, chicken and beef, which he dubs as “very, very nice”.

Kyle also tried the roast duck in “sweet sauce” and dubbed it “absolutely perplexing”.

He was also delighted to get a fortune cookie at the end.

One commenter wrote: “Round corner from me, will have to give it a try”.

Another said: “You should try it with plum sauce with crispy chicken with chicken fried rice my favourite.”

A close up of Kyle trying prawn toast at Lucky 88. (Image: Kyle-v-food on Instagram)

Lucky 88 operates from The Stoney Oak on High Grange Avenue in Billingham and offers both collection and delivery services.

The takeaway serves a broad range of Chinese dishes, from familiar favourites such as sweet and sour chicken and chow mien to crispy duck, fried rice dishes and sizzling stir-fries.

According to the business, its menu has been designed to bring together a wide range of authentic Chinese flavours, with chefs preparing everything from traditional takeaway staples to the venue’s own speciality dishes.

The takeaway says customer service and speedy delivery are key parts of its offering.

The Deck in Redcar turns 60 in 2027, after surviving decades of change in Britain’s nightlife industry.

After opening its doors in 1967, the seaside nightclub is believed to be one of the country’s longest-running nightclubs.

Despite its age, The Deck is still one of the most popular venues on Redcar’s nightlife scene.

Inside the Deck in Redcar. (Image: Yorkshire)

Ahead of the anniversary, the club is asking customers past and present to share memories from the venue’s six decades – whether they met a partner there, celebrated a birthday or just have good memories of nights out with friends.

The milestone is particularly important at a time when many hospitality venues and businesses struggle to stay afloat during the cost-of-living crisis.

Over the last couple of decades, the industry has faced rising costs and changing consumer habits, struggled with the impact of the Covid pandemic and faced increased competition from other late-night venues popping up all over the region.

Despite the challenges facing the industry, The Deck continues to draw both younger crowds and long-time regulars, remaining a well-known name across Teesside.

The Deck continues to draw a multi-generational crowd, blending six decades of music with the familiar atmosphere that has kept people coming since the 1960s.

While social media, dating apps and home entertainment have transformed the way people socialise since the club first opened, The Deck’s management says people still value nights out with friends where they can dance, talk and make memories in person.

Local clubber Max McDonald said in a review: “The DJ makes great choices and makes the night great – can feel the atmosphere of the floor and instantly knows what song will go best.”

Another reviewer, Sammi Wheater, said the Deck always caters for a range of musical tastes, from pop classics upstairs to dance music downstairs.

As it approaches its diamond anniversary, The Deck’s team says its longevity comes from remaining true to itself and its customers.

Rather than chasing trends, the venue has continued to offer what many people want from a night out: music, dancing, conversation and lasting memories.

Nearly six decades after welcoming its first customers, the Redcar venue is hoping to prove there is still a place for traditional nightlife in an increasingly digital world.

Anyone wishing to share memories ahead of the 60th anniversary celebrations can email the team at info@deckredcar.co.uk.

The remarks drew an angry response, with Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald stating no prime minister has the right to ‘high-handedly’ remove the provision as set out by the Good Friday Agreement

Prime Minister Andy Burnham did not make a mistake when he said in Belfast that a poll on Irish unity is “off the table”, Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant has said.

Sir Chris said Mr Burnham was speaking about the situation “now” and insisted they are both “full square behind every single part of the Good Friday Agreement ”.

The Prime Minister caused a political row this week with his comments during his first visit to Northern Ireland since coming into office.

Asked about the prospects of a border poll, he responded: “I will take a collaborative approach but some issues will be off the table, and that is one issue that will be off the table.

“I think we’ve got to focus on bringing people together as best we can, and I think we’ve lived through a decade where there’s been a referendum on Brexit, we had Scottish independence just before it.”

The remarks drew an angry response from nationalist politicians, with Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald stating that no prime minister has the right to “high-handedly” remove the provision for a unity referendum from the Good Friday Agreement.

Advertisement

DUP leader Gavin Robinson welcomed the comments, stating the Prime Minister had “put to bed the nonsense” speculation over a unity poll.

Asked if Mr Burnham’s comment was a mistake, Sir Chris told UTV: “No, it wasn’t.

“I sat next to Andy throughout all the conversations yesterday, and he made absolutely clear, time and time again, and I’m happy to do it again now, that we stand full square behind every single part of the Good Friday Agreement, including the provisions in relation to a border poll.”

He added: “He was asked specifically about whether he was going to be discussing a border poll, holding a border poll now, and he was saying that we’re taking that off the table today.

“It was simply about the conversations yesterday.

“I’ve spoken to the First Minister and to other political leaders today to make it absolutely clear, I and Andy are fully committed to the Good Friday Agreement with all its provisions, including in relation to a border poll.”

Under the terms of the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, the secretary of state can decide to hold a border poll, and it also places a duty on the office holder to call one if it appears likely a majority would vote for Irish unification.

The people of the Republic of Ireland must also vote in favour to effect constitutional change.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

It’s the rock festival which his father famously headlined 26 years ago.

And today, Oasis singer Liam Gallagher’s youngest son Gene, 25, took to the stage at the Reading music extravaganza with his band Villanelle.

Gene, whose mother is Nicole Appleton, looked remarkably similar to his famous dad with his rock chic black hair and sunglasses as he performed his biggest gig yet at the event which has twin festivals which take place in both Reading and Leeds today and across the weekend.

Along with his two bandmates, he appeared on the Canopy stage, which is smaller than the main stage where Oasis were in 2000.

But he wasn’t the only musical nepo baby to perform at the festival. This weekend there are several offspring of world famous musicians appearing there which has prompted accusations of elitism after organisers of the festivals axed the BBC Introducing stage which was first launched in 2008 to host new talent.

Despite it launching the careers of musicians such as Ed Sheeran and Florence + the Machine, as well as around 70 per cent of British artists in this year’s line up, bosses of Festival Republic announced an overhaul of stages last month saying it would now be open to a ‘much wider pool of emerging talent.’

However, after handing performing slots to the likes of Cruz, Gene, Violet and Moses, there has been much online.

Shortly before Gene took to the stage, Moses Martin, the 20-year-old son of Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow, took to the stage with his indie-pop band People I’ve Met at the Reading music extravaganza for a 35-minute set 27 years after his father sang there with Coldplay.

Shortly before Gene took to the stage, Moses Martin, the 20-year-old son of Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow took to the stage with his indie-pop band People I’ve Met

Wearing a white t-shirt and dark blue denim jeans, Moses, who like his father is his band’s lead singer, took to the stage with the band which is also made up of Orlando Wiltshire and Andrew Suster.

They originally formed the group during their time in school together in Los Angeles, California but only started performing live two years ago.

Gene and Moses’ appearances set up a second-generation twist on one of Britpop’s frostier rivalries, which saw Oasis star Liam, 53, mock Coldplay frontman Chris as looking like a ‘geography teacher’ and branded the band’s fans as ‘bedwetters’.

Also taking to the stage on Friday was Violet Grohl, the daughter of Foo Fighters singer Dave Grohl, who had a slot at the Leeds event which is held at the city’s Bramham Park before appearing at Reading on Sunday.

Despite cancelling two gigs in Liverpool and Manchester earlier this week after losing her voice, she recovered in time to sing hits from her album Be Sweet to Me.

Like Gene and Moses, Violet’s father Dave also appeared at Leeds and Reading seven times, the last outing being in 2019 when they headlined.

Also this weekend David and Victoria Beckham’s youngest son Cruz, 21, is also performing with his band The Breakers in Reading on Saturday and Leeds on Sunday.

His proud parents, who have previously attended his gigs, will see his sets as they are continuing their summer holidays in Spain.

The nepo-babies will tag-team both festivals throughout the weekend.

Other headliners include Fontaines DC, former Little Mix singer JADE, RAYE, Chase And Status and Florence and the Machine.

Liam Gallagher’s youngest son Gene is the lead singer and guitarist for the grunge/indie rock band Villanelle (pictured together in 2018)

Just like his famous father, Moses has carved out a career in music (pictured together)

Gene, whose mother is Nicole Appleton , looked remarkably similar to his famous dad with his rock chic black hair and sunglasses

Advertisement

Along with his two bandmates, he appeared on the Canopy stage, which is smaller than the main stage were Oasis were in 2000

Gene performed his biggest gig yet at the event

Also taking to the stage on Friday was Violet Grohl, the daughter of Foo Fighters singer Dave Grohl

Violet is the eldest daughter of Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl and Jordyn Blum (pictured together in January)

Advertisement

Over 100,000 festival-goers are expected to descend on both locations during the three days.

And it appears Britain’s long summer spell of hot and dry weather is over as crowds of people were spotted on Thursday donning their wellies and ponchos as they arrived at both festival locations to set up camp, bracing for rainy conditions.

The Introducing stage first launched in 2008 and also hosted the 1975 and Charli XCX, who is one of this year’s headliners, before they got their big breaks in the music industry.

Reading Festival launched in 1971 and was expanded into Leeds in 1999.

Its biggest sets are being televised by the BBC and streamed on iPlayer, including RAYE on Saturday night and Chase And Status the following evening.

Donald Trump’s construction of the new ballroom at the White House caused radio issues that led air traffic controllers to not hear messages sent from pilots preparing to carry the US President

Ongoing construction at the White House contributed to radio problems that reportedly caused radio problems which resulted in Marine One’s near miss with a passenger jet, a report has found.

Federal investigators said on Thursday the construction work resulted in air traffic controllers being unable to hear warning calls that Donald Trump’s helicopter was preparing to take off. This resulted in them clearing an airline jet to take off as Marine One lifted off earlier this month, the investigators said on Thursday.

In the week leading up to the near-miss, air traffic controllers met with Marine One pilots to discuss having not received the standard three-minute warning call ahead of its flights, a preliminary National Transportation Safety Board report said.

They planned to relay radio calls through someone else if there were future problems but that was also unsuccessful on the day of the August 4 incident. Communication issues would come up again on Thursday, when the air traffic controllers at Ronald Raegan Washington National Airport were not able to hear Marine One and had to ask a support helicopter for help just before take-off.

“I can’t hear Marine One,” an air traffic controller says to the support helicopter. “If you hear Marine One, can you let me know?”

Following the incident earlier this month, technicians discovered the reason Marine One was having trouble talking to the tower at times was because the helicopter shifted to a new location during the construction. So, the Federal Aviation Administration moved the radio receiver out of a neighbourhood near the airport and to the top of the tower at Raegan to fix the problem.

“Even though they were aware of some previous communications issues, they never got at the root cause,” aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti told the Associated Press. A recording posted by ATC.com showed the Marine One pilot telling the tower it was “three minutes to lift” just like the 2013 agreement between the FAA and the military calls for. But the controller seemed surprised a few minutes later when it took off.

“Uh, Marine One, you said, uh, you’re proceeding as briefed?” the controller asked before giving directions and continuing: “OK, no three minutes, roger, proceed as briefed.”

Guzzetti told the agency he did not believe the controllers were at fault as they never heard Marine One’s warnings. He added: “In this case, the controller did absolutely nothing wrong.

“He did not receive the transmission saying that they were three minutes away from taking off. So he had no reason to hold the airplane that was lining up and waiting.”

Three Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews were called to the scene on the A76 alongside paramedics, with an air ambulance also spotted flying in the vicinity.

One person has been injured in a crash involving a police vehicle in Ayrshire. Emergency services were called to the A76 at Kingencleugh, near Mauchline, following the collision at around 2.40pm on Friday, August 28.

The road remains closed following the incident while investigations into the crash are ongoing. Three Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews were called to the scene alongside paramedics, with an air ambulance also spotted flying in the vicinity.

A spokesperson for the fire service confirmed one casualty, the passenger of a car, was extricated by firefighters who assisted police and paramedics. It is understood both police officers travelling in the police vehicle were not seriously injured following the collision.

The Record also understands the car was not involved in a police pursuit. The car passenger’s condition or seriousness of their injuries are unknown.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “The A76 is closed at Mauchline following a crash involving a police vehicle and a car, reported around 2.40pm on Friday, August 28. Emergency services are in attendance, and motorists should use an alternative route.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were alerted to a two-vehicle RTC south of Mauchline at around 2.40pm. Operations control mobilised three fire appliances to attend.

“Crews used rescue equipment to extricate a passenger.”

Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE.

PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough were killed in the early hours of Saturday, August 22, when their police car was struck by a VW Passat going the wrong way on the A66 in South Bank.

Hartlepool United‘s Victoria Park fell silent before tonight’s tie against Eastleigh in memory of the officers, including dad-of-two PC Blades, who lived in the town and coached youth teams.

A two-minute’s silence was held for PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough before Hartlepool’s game against Eastleigh tonight. (Image: MARK FLETCHER)

The officer’s family joined the players in the centre circle as the stands fell silent just before kick-off.

Two hats had been left on the pitch marking the lives of each officer.

Two officers’ hats left on the pitch at Victoria Park in memory of PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, (Image: MARK FLETCHER)

A two-minute’s silence was held for PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough before Hartlepool’s game against Eastleigh tonight. (Image: MARK FLETCHER)

Hartlepool football clubs previously paid tribute to PC Blades.

FC Hartlepool said: “As coach of our under-ten reds, a team that was made even more special by having his eldest son playing alongside the boys, Matty was so much more than a coach.

“He was a role model, a mentor, a friend, and someone the children looked up to and admired.

PC Matthew Blades. (Image: FAMILY)

“Matty gave his time, energy and heart to the team.

“He encouraged the boys, believed in them, supported them and helped them grow – not only as footballers but as young people.

“His kindness, patience, and infectious personality made him loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A two-minute’s silence was held for PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough before Hartlepool’s game against Eastleigh tonight. (Image: MARK FLETCHER)

“The under-ten reds have lost a coach, but our club has lost a truly special person and a valued member of the FC Hartlepool family.

“Our deepest thoughts and condolences are with Matty’s family, friends, and everyone who knew and loved him – especially his wife and two boys whom he adored.”

Flags were flown at half-mast earlier in the week at both FC Hartlepool and Seaton Carew FC.

Seaton Carew FC said: “Matty and his oldest son are much-loved members of our club and our U10 Lions football family.”

“Matty had only recently joined our club as a coach and was preparing for his first season with our brand-new U7 Seahawks team.

Police officers at the scene of a fatal crash involving a police car and a Volkswagen Passat on the A66 in South Bank, near Middlesbrough (Owen Humphreys/PA)

“He was looking forward to being part of the team and, most importantly, to coaching his own son, who is going to be playing for the Seahawks this season.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Matty’s wife, his two boys and all of his family and friends at this incredibly difficult and heartbreaking time.”

A fundraiser for the officers, created by the Cleveland Police Federation, has raised more tha £1m to be split equally between the two officers’ families.

PC Tom Clough, 38, and PC Matthew Blades, 37 (L-R). (Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)

Inquests were opened into their deaths on Thursday (August 27) and heard both died of head and neck injuries.

Five people travelling in the Passat – Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Jakub Matusiak, 23, and Makai Saddington, 18. – also died at the scene. Four of them had previous criminal convictions.

Officers have been working ’20-hour days’ with over 200 extra police drafted in on Teesside following the devastating A66 crash and the Grangetown house blaze that saw two lives lost.

Police now say the house fire and the A66 incident are ‘not being linked’.

In an emotional tribute, PC Blades’ wife described him as an adored son, brother, uncle and son in law, whose loss had left a gap that could never be filled.

She said: “No words will ever feel like the right words to honour our Matt – my beloved husband, my best friend, and the most devoted father to our two young boys.

Floral tributes by the A66 for PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

“He was an adored son and brother, a perfect son-in-law, and the most fun uncle. He was loved beyond words by all his family and friends, and his loss has left a space that can never be filled.

“He gave his life in the line of duty, protecting and serving others with courage, dedication and selflessness.

“The pain of losing him is beyond words, and our lives will never be the same. Neither will the love he gave us ever fade.

“Our children will grow up knowing what an incredible father he was and will always be, and I will carry his love, his memory and everything we shared with me always.

“He may have left this world committed to the duty he believed in, but his greatest legacy will always be the love he gave to his family.

“We would also like to express our deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks to all of the emergency services and to our police family who have stood beside us through the most difficult time of our lives.

“The kindness, compassion, love and unwavering support we have received as a family has meant more to us than words could ever express. Every message, visit, gesture of support and every person who has stood alongside us will never be forgotten.

“Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever our superhero. Our Matt and Dad.”

Meg Mason’s new book, Sophie, Standing There, has been advertised as a bittersweet story of love, loneliness and finding connection in the most unlikely of places.

Most reviews describe Sophie, Standing There as a novel about loneliness, chaos or obsession. Others focus on its insider insights on the world of literary festivals, drawing parallels with Mason’s own rapid rise to literary success.

However, what stands out to me is the novel’s depiction of intense introspection. Sophie is, as the title implies, a static participant in her own life. At times, her reflection and awkwardness is gruelling to observe. But while some readers might become impatient, others will feel a strong affinity with her minute self-analysis.

Sophie is a sound technician working in a precarious, seasonal role at literary festivals. She deferred her career to support her husband’s job, but the novel opens with her grieving the end of her marriage – he brutally ended their relationship while she was showering.

Sophie dwells on the immediate practical and emotional consequences of their separation, but does not disclose details until late in the novel. Throughout, plot elements are gradually and painstakingly conveyed: perseverance is the key.

Few novels have such self-effacing main characters. Sophie is something like the “witness-protagonist” figure – a major character who observes the central plot from the margins, such as Nelly in Wuthering Heights or Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby.

However, both Nelly and Carraway largely observe the transformative effects of events on others while, arguably, influencing events from the periphery. This novel conveys Sophie’s life intimately, so her passivity is more perplexing.

Essentially, Sophie, Standing There is a love story – even though it’s about books and writers, readers and reading. In many ways, it is a conventional contemporary romance. Lacking self-worth and eager to be of service, Sophie is recovering from her marriage breakdown and failed IVF, and is struggling financially.

Beautiful but unhappy and unable to advocate for herself, she develops an obsession with a successful writer who, it transpires, will be a surprise replacement headliner at the upcoming literary festival she’s working at.

This revelation instigates Sophie’s fantasies about lacing microphone wires under the author’s clothes. She fails to pursue her fantasies to an erotic conclusion, though, as she cannot imagine herself being sexually attracted to women.

Reviewers have made comparisons to Virginia Woolf and Bridget Jones, and to sad-girl fiction – a genre Sophie avoids now that it evokes her own life. But in its introspective emotional analysis, unlikely coincidences and catastrophes, this novel also resembles a contemporary Jane Austen story.

As well as Sophie’s dream author’s sudden proximity, several other unexpected events arise: spilled soup and expensive trousers, sudden feverish illness and inopportune recovery.

There are also volte-face revelations about the people in her life. Sophie’s ineffectual and impolite manager Annaliese is redeemed as vulnerable and loyal, for example, while her flighty best friend Emma conveys unexpectedly astute emotional intelligence.

In Sophie, Standing There, as with Austen, the domestic everyday is overwhelming: egg sandwiches dripping inelegantly, dogs leaning warmly against legs, cold bathrooms, loose leggings, electric car chargers, playlists and light switches. An abundance of insignificant obstructions apply pressure. Among the painstaking minutiae of everyday life emerges gradual recovery.

Perseverance is rewarded with the late revelation of an important truth – a key enabling the fragile and passive heroine to start shaping her life. When that revelation comes (and the title’s specific meaning is revealed), Sophie’s inaction comes into sharp and painful focus.

Authors’ endorsements that describe this book as heartbreaking, moving and breathtaking suddenly make sense. Sophie forgives herself and others, and the reader can only do the same.

While reviews of this novel have generally been very positive, some have described reading it as unsettling and uneasy, or suggested that the object of Sophie’s obsession is unsatisfyingly distant. One found the late, hasty revelation of Sophie’s backstory inadequately explored.

While the swiftness of these revelations does feel at odds with the rest of the novel, their startling impact on Sophie seems realistic in light of her lifelong suppressed feelings and self-effacement.

Comparisons have been made with Mason’s previous novel, the runaway bestseller Sorrow and Bliss. Sophie, Standing There is described as less hilarious, more touching but just as well-observed.

Many readers will enjoy the deferred ending and opportunities to imagine alternatives. Alongside this, there is a hearty dose of criticism for the literary industry – including festival employees who barely read, author gossip, and impolite and inappropriate writers.

There is a constant reminder to look beyond the surface (to not judge a book by its cover, perhaps). The novel shows repeatedly that things happen in life – often financial or related to family dependencies – that impede politeness, effectiveness or keeping in touch. While some exploit those vulnerabilities, others make allowances and offer support.

Beyond revealing what is beneath Sophie’s surface behaviour, Sophie, Standing There is about the importance and complexity of friendship.

This article features references to books that have been included for editorial reasons, and contains links to bookshop.org. If you click on one of the links and go on to buy something, The Conversation UK may earn a commission.

Due to a shortage of train crew between Swansea and Llandrindod, Transport For Wales says services will be cancelled in both directions.

It adds: “We expect the incident to last until 10pm, and disruption to services is expected from 5.47pm until the end of the day.

“We have organised buses to run between Swansea and Llandrindod to assist customers to complete journeys where possible at no extra cost.

“These will arrive at Swansea at approximately 5.47pm travelling as far as Llandrindod, provided by Gower.

“When arriving into Llandrindod customers will be met by another bus that will stop as required as far as Shrewsbury. Further replacement road transport will also be arriving into Llandrindod at 8:07pm travelling all stops to Swansea, provided by Francis.

“These arrangements are in place on services until 10pm.”