Optimism can be relearnt.

It was only when the salt water of my tears ran into my cuts and made them sting that I discovered I was crying.

Nothing sinister. Just getting exercise. Although some might consider that sinister.

Her world had shrunk - no matter who she was with, she'd prefer to be with him. That's what happened when you fell in love - you only want to see them.

The back windows looked out over the fields, then the Atlantic, maybe a hundred yards away. Actually, I'm just making that bit up. I had no idea how far away the sea was. Only men could do things like that. "Half a mile." "Fifty yards." Giving directions, that sort of thing. I could look at a woman and say "Thirty-six C." Or "Let's try it in the next size up." But I had no idea how far away Tim's sea was except that I wouldn't want to walk to it in high heels.

Do I mind being called a chick-lit writer? Well, it's not the worst thing that could happen.

I knew it, I just knew it! The person who had the job of writing my life's dialogue used to work on a very low budget soap opera.