All my colleagues on campus were dressed in matching black suits with peach cravats (or scarves for the ladies). Most were also carrying wands. I hung my head in shame. It was so long since I’d attended a graduation ceremony that I was completely unaware of the new fashion.

Anyway, there was no way that I was going to prance around in that kind of garb brandishing a big black stick, so once more I’d miss graduation day. It also looked like the boys due to graduate wouldn’t make the ceremony either. They were all huddled around a TV screen with PT, completely enthralled by a cricket match. It was difficult to tell whether they were supporting England or hoping they’d be thrashed, but the longer the boys remained transfixed by the action, the less likely it was that they would pick up their degrees.

I left them to it and wandered up to my office. There I found TPR and three technicians charging up piles and piles of iPods. Of more interest to me was the new office decor. Some of the furniture had been painted my favourite shade of purple. Even better, I had new curtains depicting – to my complete and utter delight – Moomins!