Thinking

I put on a frock today, in anticipation of a posh lunch at the in-law’s golf club. My husband, also readying himself in the bedroom, eyed my lacy-underwear-and-stocking combination appreciatively – right up to the point where I covered it up with nipple-to-knee neoprene. ‘What on earth is that?’ he said. ‘Pants,’ I replied curtly, not least […]

Blood, bone-marrow, breast-milk, or good old-fashioned cash. Most people I know donate something on a regular basis, or have done so at least once in the past. I was a regular blood-donor, until a life-saving transfusion meant I could no longer donate. Ah, the irony. When funds were more plentiful I sponsored a child, set […]

The puppy has arrived. An utterly adorable, squirming bundle of liver-and-white Spaniel, with a furiously wagging tail and a face you simply couldn’t refuse. I am besotted. Yesterday I worked in the garden, fire-fighting emails while Maddie explored our sunny garden, and taking five minute breaks to teach her to ‘sit!’ Today I left her […]

We decided not to mention the rat problem to the neighbours. After all, the rat man had it all in hand. Dead within a week or so, he said. I expressed concern that the bright green ‘pest control’ branding on his van might give the game away, but he winked and tapped his nose. Ants. […]

How much do children remember? How is it that the tiniest of events are etched on their minds, yet huge, earth-shattering milestones seem to pass them by without a shadow? ‘We’ve been here before!’ one of mine pipes up, as we pull into the nondescript car park of a supermarket I don’t remember ever visiting. […]

For years I have wondered why old people got up so early. I mean, here we all are, slogging our guts out doing jobs we hate, raising families, doing chores, desperate for a break. Aren’t we all secretly looking forward to retirement? The chance to stay in bed till noon, watching Homes under the Hammer […]