I was very grateful once again for the enomous interior of our family car, my only grumble being my reliance on husband to remove the seats so that I can make use of the space. They’re cumbersome, very heavy and impossible to manoeuvre even if you’re normal-sized, let alone if you’re somewhat vertically-challenged like me.

How I wish for a simple, yet stylish, utilitarian vehicle that I could actually use myself without the need for some strong arms. The Skoda Roomster instantly popped into my head. I no longer dream of fast, stylish cars that only seat two, but at least with the Roomster I would have some style, and I could single-handedly put the seats in whatever position I wanted.

It’s a great little tool.However, I digress… I had aquired a rather fantastic old chair that was in need of a complete make-over. So off we went to a local upholsterer that I had passed many times but never had the need to venture in. Frankly, it’s in a slightly scary part of town where I’d prefer not to stop.

It was a fascinating experience on so many levels, and afterwards I was rather relieved that John (seat-moving husband) and his strength had had to come along.

Having dropped my prancing daughter at her dance class we proceeded up the ramp of a former multi-story car-park which was now being used to house light industrial units. There seemed to be so much going on first thing on a Staurday morning. What a brilliant use of space.

The chair has been left there – rather it than me – with a very tall, exotic gentleman, whose office looked as if it had come from some old manor house (apart from the fact it was all so fake-looking). It was a bit like time travel – on one side of the door was a dirty, breeze-block industrial unit and on the other, a room with a fire, overstuffed armchairs, bookshelves (with fake books), an elaborate mantle piece and bolts of fabric elegantly lying around.

Not only that, but I was faced with the owner in jodpurs, riding boots, greased back hair and waistcoat! Kilburn if nothing if not suprising… So while dreaming of a flexible, easy-to-use Skoda Roomster, allowing me my independence, in actual fact when I go to collect my chair I’ll be rather pleased to have to have husband on hand to remove the seats for me.

Sometimes it’s rather a relief to give into the stereotypical female role – before I snap out of it and give him a list of chores for the weekend!