Several things have made me fume today. The fact that the BBC still hasn’t reported on that UN resolution (or responded to my complaint), and that the best the Guardian could offer was a column on Comment Is Free (didn’t they win Publication of the Year at the Stonewall Awards a few years ago? I really think we should demand better). 

Then there was last night’s ‘Panorama’, which showed Muslim children as young as eleven being taught that homosexuality was punishable by execution - at schools in the UK. Or how about the Salvation Army, threatening to close soup kitchens in New York over Christmas in protest at employer benefits for gay couples? How very Christian of them.

But let’s not dwell on that. Last night, thanks to the lovely Susie Boyt, I attended my very first PEN Quiz. I confess I was nervous. My team included extremely clever people like Joan Bakewell, Linda Grant and Libby Purves.

Earlier in the day, I phoned my friend Suzi Feay for advice, first on what to expect by way of questions, and then on what to wear. She was very helpful, but sounded terrible on the phone, due to a nasty cough.

In the event, I needn’t have worried. It was a lovely evening, and our team didn’t do badly (I think ‘middling’ is the correct term). Meanwhile Suzi Feay stormed to victory with Simon & Schuster. Personally I think it was the Propolis I administered to her shortly before the quiz commenced that helped swing it.

Anyway, a big thank you to Susie for inviting me, and to my team mates who were all so magnificent. Linda and I have been messaging each other on Facebook over the UN resolution, and Joan Bakewell has also taken a keen interest. 

So, I end where I began, but with a greater feeling of optimism. And a photo of me with Joan Bakewell...