It’s 9.13am in the morning in Manchester and I’m just waiting for my Northern squeeze, Twiggy, to confirm for our meeting at 10.30.

Earlier I popped out to get some bits and pieces and to also treat myself to some decent decaf coffee at Cafe Nero. I was gone maybe half an hour and when I got back housecleaning had already been through my room, the bed was made up and the little bins emptied. Gulp!

I hurriedly looked round to see if there was any incriminating evidence left out. I had left my suitcase open (I normally close it when I go out) but on the top was my old nightie that I’d carelessly discarded when I got changed. Some other bits poked out but nothing that you would associate with illicit goings on. My condoms and lubricants were tucked away in the bedside drawer, the condoms themselves were in a little Boots carrier bag so not easily visible. Thank God I’m anally retentive and I like keeping my surroundings tidy. Even my computer was on but at least it wasn’t on any incriminating websites. Besides, it was on standby. It looked like a bit of a rush job anyway, as my bed socks (yes, I know, sexy) were where I left them on the floor. So there was no vacuuming, just a cursory tidy up.

That was a bit too close for comfort me. That’ll teach me. In future, even when popping out first thing in the morning for half an hour, make sure everything’s either locked up or put away. Even at 8am on a Saturday morning, make sure my wits are about me.

After my ungodly early morning booking of 9am this morning (he turned out to be a lovely chap so I didn’t mind so much) I stopped at Boots to replenish my condom stash as I had run out.

As luck would have it, they were doing a two for one on packs of either 12 or 18. So I picked up two boxes with a Durex Play lubricant and headed on over to the checkout.

“Did you know that if you buy one Durex Play you get the 2nd one half price?” said the sales assistant. “Really?” I said in a high-pitched voice, which, I have no idea where it came from. I think I was just pleased at grabbing a couple of work-related bargains.

I ran back to the shelf and picked up another lube. The lady standing behind me must’ve thought, what the heck, exactly how much sex does this woman have exactly?

I don’t care. I stopped feeling any embarrasment in buying condoms over the counter a very long time ago. And in this case a bargain’s a bargain. No room for blushes here.