William French, a wine merchant and a widower who lives with his son, Eddie, although he would rather not. A good man who is very knowledgeable when it comes to the wines of the Bordeaux region.

Eddie French, not gainfully employed, but planning to do something, as he explains, “once I’ve got my music together”.

Marcia Light, proprietrix of Marcia’s Table, a catering business. “I cook for people,” she says. And, “There’s a dear.” She has her sights set on William, whom she would like to marry, and cook for.

Jo Partlin, a young woman who shares the flat below William’s with Caroline, Jenny and Dee. Jo is Australian and fairly masculine. One or two of her flatmates think that she might in fact be a boy. This is unresolved at present.

Dee Binder, another one of the flatmates, runs the Pimlico Vitamin and Supplement Agency. A believer in Echinacea and similar substances – and also in the merits of colonic irrigation.

Caroline Jarvis, a student of fine art at the Sotheby’s Institute. Sympathetic. Hoping for a job in the auction world: Old Masters if possible, but will settle for the nineteenth century. In a sort-of-relationship with a City mining analyst, Tom. Very friendly with James, a fellow student on the Fine Art course, who is worried that he may be straight.

Berthea Snark, a psychoanalyst who lives in a mews house not far from Corduroy Mansions. She is the mother of Oedipus Snark, whom she does not like. She is busy writing her son’s unauthorised biography and plotting his downfall.

Basil Wickramsinghe, an accountant and High Anglican, lives on the ground floor. Given to consorting with opponents of liturgical change. An enthusiast for the works of King James I.

Barbara Ragg, lover of Oedipus Snark. Would like to marry him; would like to marry anybody.

Terence Moongrove, brother of Berthea Snark and uncle of Oedipus Snark. Terence is on a long journey of self-discovery, which has taken him as far as Cheltenham. He is yet to find himself.

Freddie de la Hay, a dog. Said to be a Pimlico Terrier – a rare breed – and has been brought up by a well-known newspaper columnist to be a “new dog” (one that does not chase cats and is largely vegetarian). Freddie would like to be a real dog, given the chance. Currently in a dog-sharing arrangement which brings him to Pimlico, to William’s flat.