He noticed you, and what you were up to

Journalists shouldn't interview people they know, or even (I think) acquaintances with whom they're friendly.

- Interview: Clive James

But in September I broke this rule, and went to Cambridge to talk to Clive James about his latest book. The day before, I'd taken a call from his daughter, Claerwen James, the artist and my friend of more than 25 years. Clive was soon to publish a short book about Philip Larkin. He was pleased with it, and wanted to tell people about it. But he was also too ill, by this point, to see a stranger. Would I come? It would mean so much to him. I told her that I would.