[West Ender]

I had my first child in a small cottage hospital in Oakham, Rutland, in 1964. They used to make you stay in for a fortnight in those days.

Every day, Matron used to come round, with a big smile on her face, accompanied by her little dog which looked like a mop with no handle. It used to skitter into the ward and slide along the ultra-clean floor under the beds and it always weed. The cleaners were kept busy. Every night, Sister used to come and "tuck us in" with a slightly risqué joke.

Those ladies made an unbearably long stay much more easier. Even the staff nurse, who had no sense of humour what so ever, used to make me laugh (behind the sheets) as she sternly called out your name followed by the demand, "Bowels?" I was always reminded of her, years later, in the TV sitcom Bread - the woman at the DSS who used to screech, "Next".

Laughter is a damned good medicine.