The aristocrat, when he wants to, has very good manners. The Scottish upper classes, in particular, have that shell-shocked look that probably comes from banging their heads on low beams leaping to their feet whenever a woman comes into the room. Aristocrats are also deeply male chauvinist, and ... on the whole they tend to be reactionary.

I wrote my earliest piece for The Sunday Times about being a young wife.

People who can write a book usually do.

I have a theory that the secret of marital happiness is simple: drink in different pubs to your other half.

I love the long grass coming up to meet the willows.

Meetings ... are rather like cocktail parties. You don't want to go, but you're cross not to be asked.

Although it is the biggest time-waster in office life, you must never underrate the importance of the memo. You will be judged by the volume of your paper work.