Much as I love my husband, he’s a bog-standard bloke. And sometimes the bog is strong in him. Take last year: exhausted by three kids, a stressful job and a profoundly irritating wife, he gave up on his hitherto rigorous exercise programme. As he piled on the pounds, I drew a clear message: I wasn’t worth bothering for. We sparred about it for a bit … Continue reading Does your man pass the quality test?
Late home from work, kids playing up, not had a shower? So what! You need to have sex within 60 minutes of getting through the front door. Late last night, my husband returned from a work trip to find me scraping the bottom of a casserole dish. He listed all the ways he was shattered. Then I listed all the ways I was. “Right,” I said. … Continue reading The one hour sex rule
So Bond is back and the reviews are just in. Spectre promises to be the most explosive outing to date for Daniel Craig. But with Craig only signed up to one more film, rumours are already flying as to his successor. (Damian Lewis? Idris Alba?) As the boys vie to be bookies’ favourite for Bond, I can’t be the only woman to say: Sod James. … Continue reading The name’s Bond. Jane Bond
Moving to the country – trading a tiny town house for a rambling, rural pile – it’s the middle-class dream, isn’t it? Well, it is if you’ve got three small children, a business run from home, and a garden that couldn’t say ‘boo’ to a shed. That’s where my husband and I were two years ago: not really “living” in London, just treading on toys … Continue reading Dreaming of escaping to a big house in the country?
Feature for the Telegraph Online, July 31st 2015 Mid-life was once a time to sit back and smell the roses. OK, you probably smelled your partner’s socks, too, but that was the price you paid for security. Not any more: the mid-life marriage meltdown is on the rise, from Hollywood to Huddersfield. According to the latest figures by the Office for National Statistics, divorce rates … Continue reading Divorce in middle age
Feature for Telegraph Women Section 25th May 2015 Can there be any sight more touching than that of a pretty young mum, smiling down at a small boy as she mugs him? That’s exactly what greeted spectators of this Sunday’s play-off at Wembley. Celebrating his winning hat-trick, Preston footballer Jermaine Beckford threw his shirt into a crowd of young fans. Into the throng of delighted boys … Continue reading Pushy Mums
Tash Bell 