Today my friends, I am going to give you one excellent piece of advice.

If you walk into a coffee shop and happen upon me sitting alone, innocently sipping a Skinny Latte with an extra shot (easy on the froth), do not under any circumstances sit anywhere near me.

There. I’ve said it. You’re welcome.

Don’t worry, this isn’t for any medical reason and I showered recently so it has nothing to do with hygiene. No, the reason I say this is because if you do sit near me and I happen to hear your conversation, there is a small chance that it will end up in a book.

I know. I apologise.

Actually I don’t.

It’s a perk of my job.

For I am a sticky beak, a nosey parker or more charitably, a people watcher. I have lost count of the number of impatient frowns I have attracted from my husband because I am listening to someone else’s conversation instead of his.

‘But darling, I’m working,’ just does seem to cut it. Funny that.

I even have my favourite haunts. There is a coffee shop in a nearby town with a big room at the back. The acoustics are excellent for eavesdropping. When I am in need of a little creative inspiration, I head there, order a coffee and settle down with my notebook.

I love watching people, their minute gestures and unconscious behaviours. I don’t do it for too long and I never stare. I’m not a weirdo. I just find human behaviour fascinating and really rather inspiring.

So you have been warned. Avoid me at all costs.

Unless you like the idea of featuring in a book. In which case, come and sit by me, say something interesting and you just might.