Authorised!

Well the high stress phone calls paid off. Once I had explained that the offer was going to be withdrawn on Friday (and hence the mortgage lender's opportunity to charge me interest for the next 25 years would be gone), the mortgage was authorised in no time!

Bubbles (my solicitor) has been informed, and she awaits confirmation from them in eager anticipation. (Should such a thing be possible over a no doubt extremely dry document!)