I really liked this. About halfway through I thought, Galatea? But then it wasn't. I confess I had to look up several words, but then what point is a dictionary that never gets used? This has a "Pilgrim's Progress" feel, a poet's journey to greatness.

How do you do it? Really, how? I can be bobbing along quite merrily, and then I read one of your stories and it's like a bloody epiphany, except it's more light than revelation. I'm probably not making a lot of sense, but hey ho

Utter brilliance

This is an amazing story, you have an ability to draw the reader in. You're an amazing writer.