I suggested to my cash-strapped sister that she offer afternoon teas as a money-making venture. Even if she only catered for paying guests at weekends, the extra income would help address her tricky financial predicament.

She turned her nose up at my suggestion, then invited us all to the massive show-off party that she and her husband were throwing in a huge gazebo attached to their house.

Despite our misgivings about the cost of this display of supposed wealth, TPR enjoyed playing bowls with our niece A’s boyfriend D at the party.