Back in November, Graham invited us over to Harrogate for Christmas, offering so many inducements (wine, port, NO turkey……), that it would have been rude to refuse. His sole condition was that we were to say nothing to the girls and yes, that included Alex. Not easy for me, I’m hopeless with secrets!

We flew to Stansted, from where Graham picked us up. He’d told Alex he was shooting a wedding that day to explain his need for the car and the lack of a precise time when he’d be home. Unfortunately, he forgot to bring the posh wedding clothes he’d got out of the wardrobe in the morning, so when Alex found them, still on the bed, on her return from work, he had to deal with a slightly panicked phone call; it was amazing how easily the lies flowed! When we arrived, though, her face was a picture; she hadn’t had a clue!

We had a great time, taking Immy to see Father Christmas at the Yorkshire museum of farming and having a day in York with Izzy, as well as catching up with a few friends. Alex set off to see Gemma in Australia on Boxing day and the two of them had a brilliant time. There was a moment when it looked doubtfulthat the trip would happen at all; discussing what Alex should take with her, I just happened to comment that as long as she had her passport, tickets and visa, she’d be fine. “Visa?? Do I need a visa???” This was Christmas Eve. I went cold at the thought that all the preparations for her trip of a lifetime could come to nothing, as she and Graham grabbed their phones and started googling wildly. A very long half hour later and she had an emergency visa. What a relief!

The ten days passed all too quickly, we called in to see my brother in London on our way back south, then were home in time for new year’s eve, when we went out with a group of friends.

I hope 2018 is as good as 2017, and for anyone reading this, that this year brings you all you would wish for.