‘Don’t look for the money. I’ve taken it all’: Salt Path author Raynor Winn’s ‘confession’ that she stole from her family

Anne recognises herself as the character Polly in The Salt Path, who offers Moth and Winn shelter in a barely habitable “disused meat-packing shed”. But photographs seen by The Observer show the building Anne lent the couple rent-free was a carpeted flat, with hot water, bath, shower, double bedroom and other home comforts.

“There was work around but they chose not to work,” says Anne, who explains that Raynor quit a sheep-shearing job she found for her after only a few days’ work. “It’s what you choose to do, whether you want to keep a roof over your own head or whether you’re quite happy for someone else to do it for you.”

Anne says she does remember the couple taking some hiking trips while they were staying with her.