Reading for pleasure

Two good-looking individuals sit opposite each other over tea and shared chocolate cake. They're deep in talk. I approach them to see whether they have noticed what others have noticed. 'That's so strange that you mention sex!' says the man, 24-year-old Ben Long, who is researching a history book for his father. 'We were just talking about sex!' Not that strange, really, considering this is the British Library.

'Really strange,' agrees 24-year-old Ruth Lux, who is finishing off her dissertation. 'We were discussing whether infidelity can ever be justified.'

Stuart is resting outside Humanities Two besides a water fountain on a leather banquette. He looks exhausted. He is, he says, writing a dissertation on Shakespeare and sex. 'Twine, turn, tumble, tup, tug, try, trim, trifle,' he says. 'Trick, trap, toy, toss, top, tilt, tickle, thrum, thresh, text,' he counts each word off on his fingers. 'And that's just the T's. Work, wrestle, wap, wup. . . '

Back outside on the Euston Road it's always a relief if it's raining.

Copyright Spectator Jun 4, 2005
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