It hardly seems a year since the diamond jubilee, but here we are again at Swanwick for the 61st Writers’ Summer School. After 6 hours of hell on the M5 last year, we let the train take the strain this time – along with half the inhabitants of the West Country.

During the ‘Writing Autobiography’ course on day 1, we were tasked to write a mini-memoir in just 50 words – much harder than writing it in 500. Here is my attempt:

“The woman in pink blocked the aisle as the packed train set off. Absent-mindedly wrestling with the Yorkie in her arms and chatting to her seated companion, she ignored my attempts to reach my friends. I shrugged, found an empty seat, put my feet up on my case – and waited.”