It was a great disappointment that my Auntie A failed to turn up as a guest speaker. I was sure that she would have had much say to my work colleagues in the city of London.

I had made such an effort with my look for the day too. Not only had I put on make-up (a rare occurrence), but I had also dressed in the latest retro fashion of a royal blue full length pleated Laura Ashley cotton skirt. I actually looked quite slim in it.

Later, on my way home, I struggled with the signage in the sparkling upgraded London Underground. I spent hours going up and down escalators and along endless passageways in my hopeless attempts to return home.