Jo Horgan is a talker. In her British accent, with vowels that remain unflattened despite living in Australia for almost four decades, Horgan talks and talks. Three times over the course of our conversation, politely inquiring members of her inner circle try to wrap us – her – up.

The first time, she waves them away, equally polite. The second, she invites them to sit. By the third time it’s clear to everyone that she has run out of excuses. “Right. I’m being cheeky now.”