BBC Radio 4’s Fi Glover and Jane Garvey don't claim to have all the answers (what was the question?), but in these essays they take modern life by its elasticated waist and give it a brisk going-over with a stiff brush. They riff together on the chuff of life, from pet deaths to the importance of hair dye, the perils and pleasures of judging other women, and the perplexing over-confidence of chino-wearing, middle-aged white men named Roger.

The book covers essential life skills (never buy an acrylic jumper, always decline the offer of a limoncello), pondering orgasm merchandise and suggesting the possibility that Christmas is an hereditary disease, passed down the maternal line. They share their wisdom with the broadcaster, journalist and author of How to Fail: Everything I’ve Ever Learned From Things Going Wrong.