and she seemed to think I could do whatever I want to do, at any time, which is a complete joke when you think about it. But she did say she was in her late thirties when she decided to become a psychotherapist. So what she was saying was: keep going; don’t be distracted, and you’ll be able to do what you want to do as long as you’re focused.

This is very difficult because of course, she has money and I don’t have money, and the practicalities of life are always telling me to stop studying and get a full-time job instead. But then I shall be so frustrated!! Because I want to learn.

She pointed out that there is a flaw in my marriage but I have learned to live with this. You have to get through the difficult times together by not saying too much about them. As my mum says, you mustn’t pick holes in things.