I just got back from a lovely coffee with Charlotte, Will and a couple of her friends up at the o2. She invited me to join them there a few days ago, and, the o2 being a short, pleasant walk along the river away, there was no reason for me not to join them. It was splendid to see my old university friend: C is doing really well, and seems in fine health. She commented how well I look now I’ve stopped drinking – I certainly feel far, far healthier. Mind you, she was a bit surprised at how much coffee I drink these days.

The meeting ended all too soon. She had somewhere to go, and I was eager to get back here to see my love. When I’ll see her next is anyone’s guess. Next year marks ten years since we graduated: I can barely believe that it is now almost a full decade since those heady, undergraduate days of discos, drink and house parties. At one and the same time, it seems both like yesterday, and a lifetime ago. I’m just glad things like Facebook allow me to keep in easy contact with my old friends; and that, from time to time, we can still hook up for a coffee.