HNT: Joanna Cake takes a bath

I haven't had a proper bath in years.

At Ruf's the hot water comes through so slowly that the bubble count just doesn't ever quite reach adequate so, whilst ok for cleaning purposes, even with candles it still doesn't reach the optimum relaxation point.

At the house, the bathroom is always full of other people's clutter and mess and the process would, inevitably, be interrupted, so I never had the enthusiasm to bother. I would take a shower instead.

In my new flat, the bath is small and the shower attachment needs replacing but the water pressure produces wonderful bubbles. However, it is clean and tidy and the candles - vanilla tealights and a big cranberry monster, if you're wondering - combined with the peaceful and harmonious atmosphere made the occasion of my first bath a truly wonderful thing.

And, even better, Ruf to sit on the toilet and chat with me, before enveloping me in a soft, fluffy white towel, drying me off and leading me down the hall to christen my bed.