I had planned on keeping quiet the news of a big birthday and having no ‘celebration’ (what’s to bloody celebrate after all,) but events, some of my own making, have conspired against this.

Recently we were at a Meet the Fokkers type of evening – though I have to say a lot less disastrous thanks to the careful management of the conversation to ensure that whatever the subject, it never came near Brexit – in the circumstances even a chat about the nice lasagne has bear traps in it.

Anyway, the meal was coming to an end when discussions turned to the forthcoming wedding and, more importantly for me, the fact that my birthday is the night before.

So, my husband’s son, who was feeling very relieved and happy that everyone had got on, announced to all the table that it was my birthday then and as it was SUCH A BIG BIRTHDAY – that we should have some kind of celebration.

I think the amount of wine he had drunk insulated him from my look offering death by strangulation and he went on to insist, despite my protestations, that of course we need to have a great birthday event the night before his wedding.

I thought I had made my point, rather forcefully to him after the event, but in a recent phone call, he said again that we couldn’t let the birthday pass without a celebration and as everyone was gathering anyway, it would just be fun.

At that point I reminded him that though he knew me well, he had never seen me really cross but should he need more information on that, I would hand him over to his father.

‘I think it’s sunk in that you really don’t want anything,’ he said ( rather hurriedly and sincerely, I thought.)

So, I was re-telling this to a good friend and she said, ‘ Well just a few female friends at our house, lunch even though supper is better..not on your birthday of course as you will be busy but around then.’

‘What!’ I cried.

Yes, of course I am being churlish. It is of course, lovely that people want to celebrate but I plan on carrying being very churlish.

However, I cannot claim to have kept all this birthday malarky secret because I emailed Open Book on Radio 4 where they have a readers’ clinic.

I said, it was my 60th year and I was going to do things in sixes and one of those would be to read six good sci-fi books as it was a genre I don’t know, and lots of people seem to have a snobbish allergy to.

They broadcasted my request ( I went to W1A to read it out, and yes it did look just as the programme showed and there were some very nice people talking into their mobiles and sitting on uncomfortable but stylish-looking sofas).

No, I didn’t get to have a nice chat with Mariella Frostrop

But she did an interview with Peter F Hamilton,a nice sounding man, who is apparently the best-selling British sci-fi author and he recommended what sound like six really interesting books.

So, if on the evening of my birthday any, but any, attempt is made to make it into a celebration you will find me being very churlish in a hotel room with a very good sci-fi book.

Here is the list in case you are interested:

Way Station by Clifford Simak

Everything About You by Heather Child

The First 15 Lives of Harry August by Clare North

Ack Ack Macaque by Gareth Powell

Revenger by Alistair Reynolds

The Time Ships by Stephen Baxter