"Form is temporary. Class is permanent." This phrase, heard most often in my life in a cricketing context, came to mind today as I was helping to judge the BMS Seasonal Book Marketing Awards (a much more modest event than yesterday's Costa Book Awards, won by Andrew Miller's novel Pure).
Wearily predictable, but very necessary, the first thing I had to do after paying an extortionate West End £12.30 to see the much-feted film version of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy was to nip into a nearby HMV to buy......Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, a mere £7 if you're interested. You know the one.