The careers of all my friends were taking off big-time. DT was now a renowned social media expert, NP an internationally acknowledged poet, and JW a retail queen who administered her empire from her babywear shop in Stockbridge.

I was really keen to catch up with NP because I was about to perform in a poetry reading competition. I needed to discuss with her my choice of reading. I hoped that she would give me permission to use one of her poems.

In the meantime I wondered when it would be polite to take off the two beanie hats that I had been modelling for JW. Designed for six month old babies, they looked rather ridiculous on me.

(However, I didn’t look quite as silly as TPR. I caught him lifting weights in the gym wearing his black brogues because he forgot to pack his trainers. Formal shoes and skin-tight lycra – not a good look).