Deepest thanks to Caroline Raphael, who first commissioned me to write a piece entitled ‘The Funniest Thing I Ever Saw’ for the Radio 3 strand The Essay, and then commissioned me to write five more, and then a further five after that. She nurtured an autobiographical urge within me and helped me find a way of writing about myself that I found enjoyable – and a voice that was possibly less self-obsessed than it might have been. An autobiography that isn’t self-obsessed? Who am I kidding? I hope you know what I mean. Caroline certainly does, because she also edited this book. During moments when I struggled with structure, content and tone she was always on the end of the phone offering great advice and encouragement, and, very kindly, making things seem less difficult. The book wouldn’t exist without her. Thank you.