Last Wednesday (just over a week ago) I directly asked Clare if Coral had spoken to her. Clare said Coral either messaged her or emailed her, asking if she could volunteer. Clare said she replied to say she doesn’t want any more volunteers because me & Kellie had told her she’s manipulative etc.

So that is cold hard evidence that Coral disregarded me when I told her that she couldn’t volunteer. I explained to her on several occasions that Clare doesn’t want lots of people traipsing in and out of her house. Also I told her specifically that she would be treading on my toes because there wouldn’t be enough for both of us to do. And Coral never told me that she asked Clare so Coral wasn’t transparent about it; she did it behind my back.

So I was right to block her and right to feel threatened and uncomfortable since she came to Sudeley. She has used her connection to me to try to get what she wants, even though she knew it wasn’t what I wanted. She enjoyed showing me that she had the power to step over me to Shaun or Clare.

Floyd’s India

I bought this book in 2006, after watching the TV series, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I tried a couple of recipes from the book but the quantities seemed way off so I haven’t used it for maybe a decade. Now it is going to the charity shop.

How to be Famous

The sequel to How to Build a Girl. Took me back to the 90’s and reminded me of the good bits. I like CM’s writing, I find it relatable and the story was uplifting. A nice read.

The Cows

I really enjoyed this. Characters are slightly caricature-ish but the main plot event (a women filmed masturbating on a train) is extremely brave. I found it immensely readable; its up to the minute contemporary and feminist. Don’t follow the herd!

Sober Stick Figure

I quite liked the stick figure cartoons – they were mildly funny and had novelty value. But I felt that the book read like ‘I did this, then I did this, then I did this…’ The book was ok but I’ve read several better drinking memoirs.

Property

Loved this collection of short stories. Beautifully portrayed characters and sharply observed. Utterly convincing as is usual for Ms Shriver. Occasionally deliciously disturbing, in the manner of Tales of the Unexpected.

Home Fire

I read this after hearing about it on Radio 4: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0929rxs

I don’t know the myth it’s based on but I loved this book. It truly reflects our time and it’s surprising and believable.