There's nothing better or more rebellious than refusing to be a slave to a recipe. Sticking to a recipe is so abject! If a recipe calls for lemon zest, it simply has to go in at the end, as with my mackerel pâté or prawns with spaghetti, rocket, chilli and lemon.

I am worrying about Irma. I suppose there's no chance of it avoiding those little islands. I don't pray but I wish everyone in Irma's path well. I want to wake up in the morning hearing that Irma has been a damp squib. I know it isn't going to happen.