“When at last we guided the car through the swanky gates of Alan’s country pile, it was raining steadily.
You might remember that Alan, a wealthy friend who runs a family building company, is holding a fancy-dress party, postponed from the new year, when he had flu.
You might also remember that we set off late because a smoke alarm started beeping, and we were diverted by the police to avoid an accident.
I didn’t have space to mention last week that it was not a successful diversion.
