I have been supremely lucky in my life in that I have known great love, and of course I am the temporary custodian of some incredible and beautiful things.

I don't pretend to be an ordinary housewife.

I suppose when they reach a certain age some men are afraid to grow up. It seems the older the men get, the younger their new wives get.

I've come through things that would have felled an ox. That fills me with optimism, not just for myself but for our particular species.

People who know me well, call me Elizabeth. I dislike Liz.

I think I ended up being the scarlet woman partly because of my rather puritannical upbringing and beliefs. I always chose to think I was in love and that love was synonymous with marriage.

The ups and downs, the problems and stress, along with all the happiness, have given me optimism and hope because I am living proof of survival.