We mothers of grown-up daughters tend to view them with a mixture of love, exasperation, irritation and awe.

Sad old blokes, I'm told, now dream of me with a whip in hand.

When I was about 17, I had a row with my mother and left home for six months, renting a flat and working as a waitress for a while. I learnt you could double your earnings if you gave good, cheerful service. It taught me that in any job you can improve your lot.

I saw George Bush at a benefit concert actually waving at Stevie Wonder. Someone had to tell him, 'He can't see you.'

I don't like the anonymity of the banking process - people now don't have a bank manager they ever meet.

I've always taken risks and bought property well. As journalism wasn't particularly well paid, buying homes and selling them for profit improved my income.

I do have a rule that very few meetings are worth more than ten minutes.