What do we think Alfie and Annie Rose are doing now?

[IrmaFayLear]

(Put this in "grown up" section as I thought it more appropriate than children's books...)

Another sleepless night and I was reminiscing in my head about reading to the dcs and how much we enjoyed Shirley Hughes. And then I wondered how old Alfie and Annie Rose might be and what they would be doing now.

Annie Rose is definitely an actress. Not a Hollywood or even television actress, but a serious stage actress at the Royal Shakespeare Company, I reckon.

Alfie... I'm thinking either a History teacher or civil servant.

They are still close but there has been some friction over who inherits grandma's lovely house in the country with the pig in the next field.

They are what, two and four? And the first book was published in 1981 so they will be in their 40s now.

I love Shirley Hughes' books! Especially Alfie - hence my username ☺ I always wanted Alfie and Annie Rose's mum to be mine. Absolutely nothing wrong with my own mum but there was just something about Alfie's mum that seemed so perfect when I was growing up.

I loved these books as a kid. They started being published when I was about 4 and I associate them with the excitement of getting my first library card and the very particular smell of my local library.

I think Alfie works in town planning and Annie Rose is a fashion editor.

And I love the Shirley Hughes twitter account, it's a cosy and nostalgic respite among the Brexity noise that makes up the majority of my Twitter feed. Some of the illustrations they post can bring a lump to my throat (when I'm feeling particularly hormonal). This one especially.

(although it's not actually an illustration from an Alfie book, it's from Lucy and Tom at Christmas)

Thanks Bertie, I thought they were older than that for some reason.

Annie Rose was definitely a rebellious teenager, but came good in the end. She's now got 3 kids of her own now, and is a mumsnet regular.

Sometimes you shouldn't ask

I think I thought they were older as well :) I have never seen that twitter before so thank you, it's been so lovely looking at all the illustrations. I was an 80s baby and they're just so comforting, but also timeless as well - at least from the 60s to the 90s I reckon could have been portrayed by them and many aspects if you remove the household objects and clothing, absolutely timeless interactions between loving families.

I think Alfie is a primary school teacher and Annie Rose is an actress. I also think Ian Barger made it al” the way to the premier league, and that Alfie still secretly thinks he’s cool.