Marcia cooked up another storm for the meal that evening. What pleased everyone was the fact I found myself on the receiving end of a few phone calls, returning with five young women, Adriana even more excited at the appearance of her friends, a final Christmas surprise, as she didn't believe they'd be returning until after new year.

Cue lots of laughing, crying and, once they were outside in the pool, drinking. Thankfully, it remained sensible, particularly Adriana, as I knew where I would be that night. Announcing she was tired rather early, there were plenty of comments when she took my hand to lead me inside. "We'll see you...