For once I didn't mind standing in the checkout queue at our local Co-op. The air conditioning was on full blast above me and I felt cooler than I had all day.

I even let a couple of people go in front of me, although they had fewer items in their basket than I had.

It wasn't until our five-year-old reminded me that her ice lolly was in danger of melting before that I reluctantly shuffled forward, paid for my goods and stepped out into the Fiveways furnace once more.

I have spent most of this past week trying to find ways of escaping the heat. It has largely involved standing in the doorways of shops with air-conditioning.

Of course, I didn't want to make it look too obvious, so I have been pretending to be waiting for someone. A few glances at my watch and the odd sigh seem to have satisfied the shop's staff that I'm not just loitering. But then, I can't stay in one place for too long without looking a little suspicious.

Bookshops, are naturally, the best places for doing this, which was probably why Waterstones in Brighton was so crowded when I sought refuge there on Wednesday.

Word had got around that the air-con in the big store in North Road was superb and, short of dousing yourself with an iced coffee, this seemed to be the best alternative for shoppers. I had a good long browse, too.

Of course, those that work in air-conditioned environments are the best off at the moment. Despite it being the height of summer, I wouldn't be a bit surprised to hear there was a surge in "presenteeism", even in the dullest jobs.

I could happily stuff envelopes for hours at a comfortable 65F, but put me in front of a computer screen when it's nudging ninety and I'm sure my brain evaporates.

In fact, I think that's what has happened. My brain has turned into a little cloud somewhere and is drifting over Brighton, ready to rain down on some poor unsuspecting soul, who'll suddenly start having thoughts about dishwashers (my latest obsession, since we don't have one) and how to get a toddler to eat broccoli.

A cool office would be nice but a cool car - and I'm not talking about style - would be even nicer. We have two ageing cars that have nothing more sophisticated than wind-down windows and an electric fan. If I turn on the fan it's about as refreshing as sitting in a tumble drier.

My mum has a car with climate control, which makes her journey down the M25 and M23 to see us, so much more pleasant. Whatever the temperature, she arrives looking cool and fresh. When we drive up to see her in summer, we get hot under the collar in every sense.

Most of all, though, I would like a cool home. If we had a cellar, I'd move my bed down there right now. Our house isn't too bad, actually. It's one of those Edwardian terraced numbers that has a long dark cool hallway. The kitchen isn't too bad either.

It has a tiled floor that freezes our toes off in winter but is bliss to the touch in summer. This morning both our five-year-old and our toddler were lying on it to cool down, which suggests that if you can't stand the heat, get into our kitchen.