I don't know whether to curse or thank David Parker for putting the idea in my head to stick up my hand for Parliament. At the time I was elected, my boys were eight. I used to duck out of the Chamber in the evening into that little meeting room over there and read them a story each over the phone. Captain Underpants featured a lot, and Alex Rider books. It was bloody hard being a mum and a politician. I know you all relate to that, especially when your relationship breaks up and you have to make parenting work. By 2014, I was the primary caregiver. I simply could not have done it without my best friend and right-hand woman, Helen Lob, who cared for my kids when I wasn't there, campaign-managed me, and ran most of the local Labour Party. Your fierce loyalty to me has kept me going through many difficult times.