I’ve had an extremely traumatic day today, dealing with “the authorities” about my unemployed status. I feel like a criminal, full of shame and guilt. They’ve asked me question, after question, after question, often asking the same questions three or four times. Are they trying to catch me out or is it just an inefficient system? I’ve been on the phone for an hour and a half going through the intimate details of my life and (more worryingly) the intimate details of David’s life.

I don’t know why they need to know so much about him. I thought it was my world that should be under scrutiny, not his.

For the last thirty years, I’ve worked my arse off. I’ve never been unemployed, I’ve always paid my own way and I’ve paid huge sums of money in tax. I’ve always been scrupulously honest.

Now it’s time for me to rely on others, until I find a job and I don’t like it one bit.

Tiredness has set in. I’m completely exhausted with it all.

Time to get out Mr Floppy (pictured), give his tummy a squeeze, put my head by his chest and listen to his heartbeat. Soothe me, comfort me, calm me…….