@jimrileyenlight
Thanks so much for your comments. When you're writing it can be so difficult to know how others will interpret it. Having only decided to try my hand at writing very recently, your feedback has made my day! Praise from friends and family is nice. But I'm well aware they're hardly likely to tell me it' s**t.
Googled 'learnt', apparently it isn't used in America, but is commonly used in Europe.
I've been so busy with work lately, but I promise to read your story this week!
Thanks again.