Smith, however, wasn’t prepared to take his snide comments lying down – and called upon her magical power over words to ensure she delivered one of the best comebacks ever.

“I was about seven months pregnant, and I just had a sudden inspiration,” she continued. “I said, 'Yeah I guess so' and then, 'You must be worried about just a complete lack of human experience that you're now going to be 40 and then 50.'

“His face went so pale. It was a wonderful way to frighten him back.”

All hail the power that is Zadie Smith!

Swing Time, the latest book by Zadie Smith, is available in bookstores now.

Zadie Smith’s epic response to man who dared to ask how she’d juggle her career with motherhood