One of the main reasons I wanted to write about female friendship is because it's so powerful and underestimated.

I have an odd relationship with motherhood. I've never had that relationship of this unconditional friendship, deep bond that you have with somebody, but I have it now with my son.

When you're writing in first person, like I do, you can't give a fluffy version of someone's thoughts because even the most prudish woman in her head will go to dark places, whether she says it out loud, you can still have these kind of thoughts.

I'll admit, my fascination with Lesley Hornby is entirely about her looks. I don't feel unfeminist saying that, because she was a professional model at a moment in history that I am mildly obsessed with.

I used to hide behind doors pretending to be a mouse listening to the grown up's conversations. I always wanted to hear them plotting peoples deaths so I could dob them in to the police. unfortunately there were no murderers in my family.

I read a lot until was about 12, then as a teenager I was more interested in kissing boys. But I kept a diary for a few years, so words were a big part of my teenage years.