From the outside, my sister’s flat looked pretty much the same. The only difference was the selection of handmade cat greeting cards for sale to passing tourists on the window ledge.

Inside, however, a huge transformation had taken place. The flat was airy, clean, neat, tidy and beautifully decorated, with not a single item was out of place. Indeed it looked ‘dressed’ for photographing for a lifestyle feature in a homes and gardens magazine, or even for sale.

If my sister could keep this place immaculate, surely there would also be hope for my mother’s house?