I got home from work on my half day to find him indoors had gone to the pub with a friend and daughter had taken herself off to town with her friends.

The house, needless to say, was left a mess, the dog unwalked and nothing had been taken out of the freezer for dinner.

"Huh," I thought. "I suppose muggins is supposed to spend her half day doing everything."

Feeling rather unloved, I decided as it was pay day the best thing would be to ignore the mess and go for a bit of retail therapy on my own.

I quite like shopping by myself. It means I can go and look in all the shops I like, rather than places that sell stuff like dvd players, cameras or fishing rods (him) or sparkly make-up and CDs (daughter).

I started off with a tall skinny latte and then decided to meander my way round a couple of bookshops. This was quite enjoyable, especially as I didn't have anyone with me saying: "Oh God, this is so boring. Haven't you got enough books? (daughter) or "Don't you know Dixons have a sale on?" (him).

I bought a couple of books then decided to look at some candles. I like candles, they are pretty. It was fun choosing, especially as I didn't have anyone with me saying: "Oh God, this is so boring. You've got loads of candles. What do you want more for? (daughter) or "What is it with women and candles - we have got electricity you know." (him).

I had just chosen some when the text alert went off on my mobile: "Where r u-we r at home?"

I answered: "I am in town - c u l8r." I paid for my candles and went to buy myself some underwear. This was also more fun on my own because I could look at it all without anyone going: "Oh God, you're not that size are you? Those knickers look absolutely massive." (Daughter of course. Him indoors has learnt not to comment).

The text alert went off on my phone again: "When r u coming home?' I answered: "don't know-c u l8r." Then I switched the phone off.

I spent another couple of hours happily wandering and buying some nice bath salts, and eventually got the bus home. Him indoors was having a nap on the sofa and daughter was watching MTV.

"What did you get?" asked daughter eyeing my bags for anything that might be for her.

"Did you get anything for dinner?' asked him from the sofa.

"Stuff for me," I told her.

"No, you'll have to order a takeaway," I told him.

Then I ran a hot, perfumed bath, got out my new book and settled down in the bubbles. Him indoors sent daughter in with a nice chilled glass of white wine and the message that he'd ordered my favourite takeaway.

Daughter said they'd walked the dog and she'd missed me.

I guess they must love me really.