My friend Anna, her sister Christina, and her daughter Neva, who’s just over a year old, came to visit this afternoon. They’d brought some toys with them including one that was a bit like a marble run – but instead of marbles, small cars careered down the chutes.

Every time Neva set them going I found it over-exciting, and flapped my hands uncontrollably. Neva clearly found this very funny and grinning broadly she copied my movements.

Neva’s not the first very small child to enjoy my tics in this way. My friends Owain, Leo and Ruby, and many toddlers when I’m out and about have responded similarly too.

I always really appreciate this immediate, spontaneous enjoyment of my tics.