I lost my friend as soon as we came out of the cinema. I concluded that she probably wanted to avoid an awkward conversation about her recent relationship break-up.

However, that was not the last I saw of her that day. I found her later at a dinner, looking tiny at the table. She called over to me in a weak voice that she felt dreadful, then promptly collapsed. I called upon a male friend to carry her away. Airport staff wrapped her in a blanket in the departure lounge. They would look after her until I was able to collect her.

This would be some time. I was too busy flirting with my so-called friend’s ex-boyfriend to rush to her rescue. (Incidentally my sister was doing the same with her own ex. Such bad behaviour runs in our family.)