Thanks a heap, Bluepalms!

What would "half ten" mean? 9:30 or 10:30?

Thanks! And what about Ireland?

Here is my problem: is it always ground floor, then first floor, or can the floors be counted first floor, second floor etc.? Does the count always begin with the ground floor or can it begin with the first floor?

Oh, thank you, Mr P.! Your description is just perfect! Actually, the name is from a book, but not by Dickens. It's a book for children by Loise Arnold, and the character is a Mrs Scruffles; she is a magical creature but all the rest is exactly

Thank you, Lil’ Ruby Rose! So, Scruffles means someone rather fluffy and not very tidy, right?

Thank you!

Thanks a lot; that helps. But if there's something else, I'd be glad to learn it, too. If this word were the surname of a person, what kind of person they would be likely to be? I mean, what sort of image would come to mind?

Surely it's a stupid question, but I can't find this word in any dictionary or encyclopedia. Google search shows that it is often used as the name of a dog or a guinea-pig, but there are so many entries I got quite buried under. Is there anything

Great! Thank you ever so much!