The last workshop in the series was a complete disaster. Not even MS could save the day with his presentation of magic tricks learnt from TPR. As I watched a balloon float over the heads of the delegates according to MS’s instructions, I wondered what had happened to half the audience. Key members EF, RA, LS and JA hadn’t even bothered to turn up.

With a sense of dread, CI and I collected the feedback at the end of the session. I glanced down at the first few forms, expecting to see the ticks fall in the adequate/poor columns. Strangely, however, it seemed that those who had turned up had enjoyed the event. What is more, some had returned comments on Scottish devolution. It was only then that I realised that this feedback was related to another event at the same venue – a day devoted to electoral reform. I passed the forms to their rightful owners and wondered what had become of my own set. Perhaps nobody had the heart to fill in a form for such a lousy event?

I cheered myself up by raiding the lost property cupboard. I shared my haul of fine leather purses and wallets with CI, keeping the green ones for myself while she took the rest.