Before I became a novelist, I was journalist for newspapers and women’s magazines. I started out as a cub reporter for The Western Morning News in Plymouth, where I seemed to spend a lot of time racing around the Devon and Cornwall countryside in my ancient red Mini. Later, after a short stint as associate producer for a Sky TV chat show/magazine programme, I became features editor of Woman and Family Circle.

I've also written freelance pieces for national newspapers and women’s magazines including the Guardian, Independent on Sunday, Red, Good Housekeeping and Woman & Home.

I read English at Cambridge University and I can still just about get by in French and Spanish. I work out – occasionally – at my local gym, and you might spot me jogging in Richmond Park with a gaggle of friends and badly behaved dogs called Pixie, Alfie, Alfi, Sunny, Barney, Barnabas and Biscuit. As you've probably guessed, we're rather slow.

I live in South West London with my husband and we have three children.