I thoroughly enjoyed the book - haven't watched the film. Bu then I'm one of those sad people who love shouting the answers at the TV screen every Monday night!
Stop poncing about with demis tasses and just break an egg on to a saucer and gently slip in to shallow pan with water at rolling boil and couple of drops of vinegar. Turn heat down. Remove after 1 1/2 minutes. Drain and trim with two tablespoons. Perfect.