1. We push the plates and cutlery aside and spread out the paper. We scribble as we talk excitedly and by the end of the meal, we have a plan.

2. We know we’ve hit a certain age, a certain sensibility, when we stare at a shower cubicle in Homebase with such adoration.

3. The cats and I stomp around in the last of the snow, heading into the woods. By the time we turn back, we hear John splitting wood so take a detour – the cats through the holly tree, me up the slippery slope around it – to join him.