Now, here’s the crux. Watch yourselves, the crux is coming…

For every book I’ve finished, I’ve bought myself a present. Nothing outlandish, you understand. I don’t mean like – a boat.

That said, I’m not referring to useful, practical things. I mean, jewellery. I’m not much of a one for jewellery, generally. But, over the course of three novels, I’ve managed to sort myself out with (in order) a signet ring, a watch that actually reads the right time, and a pair of earrings.

I know – scandalous, how do I sleep at night?

Heavily, is the answer.

But as I approach the end of book four, I wonder what I’m going to present myself with.

When I was a teenager, I was mad for chokers. I stayed in a choker probably every day for five years. It felt so weird when I finally decided I was old enough to live without it.

It’s not as if I suddenly felt a draught.

Maybe a little bit.

Okay, that might be rather cutesy.

You see, I was thinking about this the other morning. Not exactly this, but something close. I thought to myself: Would I rather be considered sweet or formidable?

Now, if you know me at all, you know my answer.