Hello friends

The hostess was filling a gap in the conversation by asking for New Year's resolutions. Raised in a guilt-ridden strain of Catholicism, mine are always self-flagellating pipe dreams about volunteering to read to the blind, enrolling as a Samaritan, or giving up holidays in order to donate the money to the poor. Inevitable failure to achieve them is part of the punishment.

But my fellow guests had a very different take. Some offered the standard commitments to make more trips to the gym or embark on new diets, but others were more bespoke – get a new cleaner, "open a bank account at Coutts – I do like those men on the door in uniform", "be someone big in international aid" and "divorce my husband" (said as if a joke, but by the look on her husband's face, I wasn't entirely sure).


Thanks to all friends.......