The ancient Egyptian mummies were shrouded in a number of folds of linen besmeared with gums.

Can't live with them, can't live without them. Like tweezers, pagers and passport control, computers are essential for modern living. They're marvellous (the erotic e-mail is the new love letter) and totally rubbish (it takes three hours to turn the printer on).

Considering the enormous cost of the gowns, which the countess had insisted Leah needed, she imagined the couturière’s fees for such work would be equally as hefty.

The cradle-rocking and the song would cease simultaneously for a moment, and an exclamation at highest vocal pitch would take the place of the melody.