I so hope my only daughter begins adult life with a little more self-belief and confidence that it has taken me years to find.

When I was a girl and, actually many years from that time since, shy and tired eyed (thanks, Laura) I would kowtow and bite my lip. Old habits do die hard. For me, I would say retreat is always the best form of defence, I believe that in troubled times a dignified silence is best, if sometimes offering a feisty splutter in reverse. But from great adversity often comes… many things.

Peaks and troughs in life, ebb and flow. It’s taken a good while to rebuild, repair and ride the crest of a gentle, if powerful, wave. Hello beach, here I come.

Inspiration comes from unexpected sources. A healing wound tended, thanks.

MM mentioned the Sisters of Mercy to me earlier in the week. In what context, I forget. Hey now, hey now now, sing this corrosion to me. Takes me back. This was the group dance for us. Justin the bean pole goth. Simon (our own better looking version of Liam from Prodigy). Sara, pink hair flowing. We sure had a lot of hair between us. No-one light a candle please.

I got nothing to say I ain’t said before. You should have listened the first time round.

Mrs Mackerel

Download Sisters of Mercy – This Corrosion mp3 (from Floodland)