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Today Rose Tremain's latest novel, The Gustav Sonata, is published. Her writing career spans more than forty years - her first novel appeared in 1976 - her fiction has been published in 30 countries. Shortlisted for the Booker, she has won many prizes, including the Orange Prize, Whitbread Novel of the Year and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize. Rose joins Jenni to talk about writing fiction and the many themes in her novel, in particular friendship, love, neutrality and commitment.

This weekend members of the Romany Gypsy and Irish Traveller communities are intending to demonstrate in London to protest at new planning laws which, they say are eroding their traditional way of life. Ryalla Duffy is a Romany Gypsy who lives with her family in Lincoln.

Do women still need that one 'best friend'? Or is the idea that women have an intimate group of friends outdated? Nell Frizzell and Rebecca Holman discuss the pressure on women to form friendships.

Dr Sue Black, mother of four, lifted herself out of poverty by studying technology, gaining a degree and a PHD. Now she wants to make every mum tech savvy. She talks to Jenni about her ambitions for her social enterprise, Tech Mums, why she believes that mothers should move to understand their children's interest in social media rather than trying to limit their use of it.

Presenter: Jenni Murray
Producer: Kirsty Starkey.