For once ST seemed just as excited as me that we were meeting in my dreams again. As soon as JC dismissed herself from a three-way conversation about A level maths test results (she scored a mere 40%), I got ST to myself and the conversation flowed and flowed.

I told ST that I wished that I had taken A level maths too, making mention of my Desert Island Discs theory that many of the most successful people start their professional lives with first degrees in maths or physics.

In response ST asked why I had been so “dark” in the sixth form. I replied that this was not the case, but that I sometimes felt left out due to my background and academic interests. This “problem” vanished when I reached university and I found myself surrounded by others just like me.

By now we were walking along the street arm in arm. I hurriedly made it clear that I valued our renewed friendship. However, I was not looking for an intimate relationship: I was very happily married to TPR.