Our Polish au pair girl would have to be let go. Her latest misdemeanour was an uninvited attempt to paint our kitchen walls sky blue. She did this with no regard for the furniture, appliances and pictures all still in situ.

The next day she resumed her artistic mission with plans for a mural of a seaside scene in place of the oil painting of Princes Street. However, this time she emptied the room first. When I walked into the bare space I was furious. I didn’t want the room painted at all.

It had to be admitted that she was also hopeless at looking after my two boys.