Monica

This is my beautiful god-daughter, Monica. She is a few months older than my son - which is how we all met in the first place, with the toddlers at Music Time and Tumble Tots. Monica's mother and I have been friends all that time and enjoyed lots of things together. This evening the three of us were at Pendley Manor for the second of the two plays that form their Shakespeare festival; it was an excellent performance of The Tempest.

I had spent the day visiting my mother in Suffolk - a round trip of four hours plus the time at the hospital - so was quite tired. Mum should have her operation next week just as I head off to France, so not the best timing but at least I know she will be in safe hands.