And blessings be also upon the head of Rosy, who has talked me through a business problem. It’s nice when Accounting offers to call you to confirm that your cheque has been written and mailed out. I won’t get it before Christmas — not that it matters overmuch now, as it’s too late to use it for clearing the credit card in order to do the on-line shopping that needed to be done a week ago — but if all goes well I should at least have it in time for next month’s rent.

If there’s something I hate more than worrying about money, it’s worrying about money when both HRH and I are theoretically working — money I should already have, and don’t. It throws the budget way, way out of whack.