One Christmas build-up tradition, however, has totally bypassed me - that of going up to town and doing a show.

What men don't want, in fact what anyone who's any sort of thrill-seeking, intelligent adult doesn't want, is some crushing bore describing their emotions in real time every waking hour.

Whenever I am sent a new book on the lively arts, the first thing I do is look for myself in the index.

I have experienced jealousy, possessiveness, verbal abuse and violence from men, but I have also experienced jealousy, possessiveness, verbal abuse and violence from women, usually when I failed to respond to their advances.

It's received wisdom that the English are uniquely child-unfriendly.

Gluttony and idleness are two of life's great joys, but they are not honourable.

Families, generally, suck. And I say that as someone who, like my husband, had parents who proved the proverbial exception to the rule.