One of the delights of being abroad is – for once – having a fabulously foreign-sounding name. Now, if you’ve been afflicted with something as callously boring as Alison Edwards – with NO middle name, might I add – this is really something to get excited about.

In Italy, the names of Kylie and I, not being the most dazzling of monikers in English (thanks parentals), seem to frequently confound our European counterparts. The letter ‘K’ does not even exist in Italian, so try spelling that over the phone to bank or tax officials. When out in bars this hurdle is most commonly overcome by explaining ‘Kylie - like Kylie Minogue’. This unfailingly results in said Italians thumping the table and shouting excitedly ‘Ahh, capisco!’ followed by an impromptu jig of ‘I’m - spinning - around….’

As for my name, Italians simply cannot comprehend the concept of a girl’s name not ending in a vowel: I say ‘Alison’, they say ‘Ah, Alessandra!’ ‘No, scusi, ALISON.’ ‘Ah, Alessa! That is a beautiful name…’ Yes indeedy, it may be a beautiful name, but it’s not my name…!