My stepmother compliments everything I do – and my ego is getting out of control | Zoe Williams

She praises me whether I’m heaving a plant pot into the air or pairing a phone to a Bluetooth speaker. It’s enough to make me start believing I am, in fact, quite magical After about five minutes of my stepmother’s company, I’m always in a good mood. It’s not because of our beautiful harmony, though please think that too if it makes me sound good. In her 80s, and feeling the ravages of time ever so slightly, she makes a constant litany of benevolently envious remarks. There’s a lot of general...

By Zoe Williams