I learnt basic cookery by watching my mum.

It makes me upset, if not angry, when people assume that there can be no morality without a religious framework. If there's a moral framework without all that religious stuff, it's more valuable.

I swim more or less every day.

I try to be classic without being mumsy.

I've never particularly liked the idea of looking back; I'd rather look forward

I look at myself objectively and in a way I see myself as a commodity. Your name becomes somehow outside yourself. Now, when I'm at home being Mrs. Scarfe, that's when I'm most myself.

I know some actresses who used to be older than me who are now younger than me - I don't know how they do it.

I think one wants lots of different lives.

I think all good writing is a struggle. To write as well as you feel you can has to be a struggle, almost by definition, because you could always improve.

We get a lot of overseas people wanting to order cakes.

Listening to my regular favourites - Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms and so on - I always feel, quite misguidedly, that nothing can be too bad if such beauty and brilliance exists in the world.

Well, that's your opinion, isn't it? And I'm not about to waste my time trying to change it.

Never be afraid to ask. The worst you'll get is 'No' but maybe you'll get a 'Yes'.

If you have bought the law enforcement department, then you have done nothing wrong when you willfully break multiple laws.

The cool, lithe, cynical, and unconquered lord of the housetops.

Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have.

I've always liked using flutes and clarinets. Any time I can use those, I'm really happy.

Poverty, to be picturesque, should be rural. Suburban misery is as hideous as it is pitiable.

If you are not having fun you are doing something wrong.

There does seem to be some evidence that as people get older, they procrastinate less, perhaps because they feel the pressure of time more.

Wouldn't--" Kel began to say, but the words stuck in her mouth. She swallowed and tried again. "Wouldn't it be well, not nice to flirt with somebody you don't want to fall in love with?