Even though the kitchen has not escaped my hammer today – I’ve been taking out base units using an old screwdriver and a hammer, then plastering the walls behind said units where I’ve caused damage or come across previous damage that had not been dealt with – I’ve had some respite from the drudge of the work.

My reputation as “the bee lady” has been spreading and I was invited to attend a centre for disabled adults to talk to them about bees. Once again, I found myself thoroughly enjoying being on my hind legs as Rumpole would have said. Presenting to an audience is truly one of those experiences in life that polarises the human race, I think. You either hate it and do it only under sufferance or not at all or, if you’re a natural born show-off like me, you take every opportunity to do it.

For me, I feel born to it. My family think this is weird in the extreme considering how shy I was when I was a child. My Mum is fond of saying “she wouldn’t say boo to a goose when she was little”.

So, me “on stage”, a room full of questioning minds and a subject that seems to fascinate everyone. It’s a recipe for success even though I say so myself. I’m starting to wonder if there might be a “living” out of this with a bit more effort and gumph from me. It could yet turn out to be my saviour.

Everywhere I go I’m greeted with “oh, you’re the bee lady, we’re so looking forward to this”. I feel useful and wanted. It does wonders for my ego. I also feel lucky to have decided to do this thing just before the time when it’s a topic that’s really of the moment, so I have built just enough experience to be able to do it.

This bit of comb has been with me to every class I’ve been in and has been passed around the audience. It’s getting battered and damaged but it’s so loved by the people who see it that it’s very definitely battered in a good way!