I was fortunate to live next to the Highland Cattle and watched the baby calves play like little children, leaping and chasing each other, having an enormous amount of fun.

Just like in the famous American story Charlotte’s Web by Stuart Little, where Fern tries to save the pig. My daughter and neighbour save one of the little Highland Calves from being slaughtered. It was a weak calf and our neighbour Rena couldn’t bear to see it slaughtered. So Rena built a shelter and looked after the calf and my daughter Jasmine named it Toffee and Jasmine helped Rena look after it by feeding it and combing Toffee’s very shaggy coat.

It felt only right to name my new book character after this adorable little Highland Cow, Toffee.