Today I tried to get back to making that apron dress I started on New Year’s Day. My “selfish sewing” resolution is languishing and Sophie had pointed out that I’d need a new dress for when I finally go out cocktail drinking with her.

This time, without the children or Cal at home, I managed to iron the fabric and cut it out on the kitchen table. My little sewing table is great but I can’t spread out three yards of linen on it. I flicked on the radio and sang along to a couple of tunes as I ironed the pieces.

The clatter of our letterbox in the front door broke through my warbling.

Our postman had delivered our heating bill, Cal’s credit card bill, and a pretty pink envelope for me. I dropped the bills...

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