Five firsts

First job.  I worked in a tourist souvenir shop on Westminster Bridge Road. It was very, very hard work but I loved it. I'd just arrived in London from Africa and the thrill of seeing Big Ben every day was immeasurable.  And I learnt never, ever to underestimate the public's appetite for complete and utter tat.


First kiss.  A boy called Douglas.  I kissed him at my friend Jane's 16th birthday party...


First perfume I bought.  Chanel No. 19.  I saved up for weeks to afford it.  I just adored the light, clean loveliness of it.  Even now, the faintest whiff of it takes me back to those heady days of being 21 years old with the world at my feet.


First song I bought.  'Brown girl in the ring' by Boney M!!  I hang my head in shame... Naturally when I'm talking to my cool music business friends, I mutter something about Fleetwood Mac or the Rolling Stones.


First show I worked on.  'Brigadoon'.  Funnily enough, this was my first school show and the first West End show I worked on. Yea, I know - it's pretty naff but I had great fun on both occasions and I'll always have fond memories of the show.