Husband and Son have flown to Aberdeen slap bang through the remnants of hurricane Katia for some flyfishing/bonding/Bruichladdich. They will be thigh deep in some icy Scottish river hoping to snare a salmon and I will be relishing being home alone. Time for me to read the latest Alexander McCall Smith at leisure; no-one to cook for so plenty of opportunity to eat healthy rabbit food; at last a chance to try an evening zumba class; I will wear no make up whatsoever and not even bother to make the bed, as no-one looking. Bliss. May the hours drift by inexorably slowly during this heavenly ‘me time’.

Or so I thought. Hardly slept as not keen on being on my own in the house in dead of night – kept waking up at unsociable hours in a hot sweat having just had a nightmare. Subsequently too tired to pick up a paperback. Zumba teacher was ill so class cancelled – probably best as I realised I need the security of having the house all locked up, with me in it, before it gets dark and burglars start prowling. Being anally retentive, had to make the bed after all – a crumpled coverlet was not a look I could live with. As for meals with a miniscule calorie count (I have always – I realise now – unfairly blamed Son for having to have naughty food in the house) I have just scoffed (and I use the word advisedly) an entire tub of marscapone, 11 profiteroles, toasted hazelnuts and a good dousing of chocolate sauce. That was, of course, after the grilled pork chop, oven chips and three glasses of nicely chilled Tesco Finest Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (this classic wine has intense gooseberry and passionfruit characters and is currently 40% off on special offer). I’ve just watched Eastenders even though I usually tell everyone I’m forced to because Husband loves it. And now, slightly squiffy and feeling distinctly nauseous, I’ve just remembered there’san absolutely huge pile of ironing to be done before the boys return home tomorrow with their fishing stories and fishy socks. Where oh where did that independent woman I once was disappear to? Hurry back boys, I miss you. Might as well have another drink…