One has to be able to fix everything, whether its making the daughter's wedding dress or getting the boiler to work or just sharpening the knives.

And be nice all the time. That's the easy one, no matter if she's bitchy, that's when she needs you the most. And if she needs someone to shout at and you're the only one around, remember, you can take it, she has nobody else.

And always, that's ALWAYS, have an answer.

So when she asks 'What do you want for dinner?', never say I don't know. Always say 'Fish and chips' or 'Shepherds pie' or 'curry' or even 'caviar and venison pie' but never, ever, say 'I don't know'.