I hadn't read the story Jim.

The woman certainly sounds in need of help sorting herself out. I can't see prison achieving much. If you are prey to such drives - you are very sick.

strange that no health visitors noticed the state of the house.

I stand by what I said though. there is a place I have taught in as a supply teacher, not far from here where the kids are very knowing - like the kids in The Turn of the Screw.

later I met a teacher, who'd also worked in the school, and he confirmed that it was huge problem in that community that the teachers could do not very much about. It seems to be what the community accepts.

What if its brothers and sisters, rather tham Mother and son?

When I did a teaching practice in Lincolnshire village school. Our college suggested that we used the school'd 19th century logbook as a primary historical source for teaching. Gasps of amazement from the staff ....apparently all the logbooks dealt with incest in families that were still local.

it makes you wonder about the veneer of civilisation.