Some (DM included and probably leading the charge) would have me shot for taking out-and-out snapshots using my camera – David would tell me it’s a total waste of kit to use the thing on ‘green mode’ but there you go. Here is such a shot and I will vindicate it by saying it’s only the second ‘green mode’ shot I’ve ever posted on my PAD.

I have been in London at a swanky dinner, catching up with industry colleagues and friends. I have a love:hate relationship with these dos – as a rule the food is dull, cold and inadequate in volume…..especially in relation to the drink consumed. It’ll be a good day when the chefs at such events realise that what people need is ‘soak-up’ food!!!

Anyway, I was good in as much as although I was with four of my colleagues, I actually spent most of my time with other people from the industry and managed to catch up with quite a few people I’ve not seen in ages so I made good use of my ‘networking’ time. I worked hard at doing that partly because I wanted to get away earlier than the scheduled end so I could pop round the corner to meet up with Colin (who you’ve seen before in these pages a number of times) and Paul, my other buddy of the last 25 years and Colin’s ‘partner in crime’. Colin and Paul used to ‘come as a pair’. Whenever I saw them, I saw both of them and the three of us, along with Shazbop would have absolutely fabulous times together.

We have, over a twenty-five year period seen each other through every happy and sad moment in our lives. Both Paul and Colin have lost parents, Paul and I have lost marriage partners, Paul has a little clan of children, Paul and I have moved a long way from our roots, we’ve all changed jobs and various other major and minor events.

One thing remains true and I am resolute in my need to take these friendships to the grave with me because they are incredibly important to me and I take subjects like loyalty and commitment very seriously indeed. The friendships forged between us 25 years ago, which started with a mutual love of music (we met at a gig…..The Escape Club) and has progressed through lots of other common interests.

I got ‘hit on’ in the bar of the hotel last night by a chap who didn’t see that I was with two men as I walked to the bar to buy a round. I called Paul over for some moral support and the chap was asking about our friendship. We tried to explain the things we’ve shared but were completely unable to convince this chap.

The reason why I mention loyalty is that Paul, Colin and I have metaphorically speaking pricked our fingers and mingled our blood. When I phoned Paul one day to find he was in the States, what his then wife failed to mention was that she was clearing out of the marital home and moving in with Paul’s so-called best mate. (NO, not Colin, Colin is a decent soul.) Colin and I (along with my ex-husband) got in the car and drove up to Manchester where Paul and his ex lived. We spent a weekend with Paul propping him up emotionally as his life was crumbling around him.

Later, when a similar event happened in my life, Paul was adamant that he ‘repay’ my kindness with a similar gesture of support and friendship. I love him for that insistence. Both of these boys are somehow vital to my well-being.

I am so glad I had an opportunity to see Paul (they happen too rarely as we live so far apart these days). I am now going to spend my whole weekend with Colin so am looking forward to meeting up with him again in a few short hours.

Last year there were things going on in my bra!