anneiskeepingbusy

Since January, Joanne has gained five pounds. She thinks, “By 65, I will be 19 stone.” Miserably, she buys salad and joins a gym.

This year, Miggs has protested for Gaza, climate, abortion, and against sewage and Rwanda (the policy not the place). She might take December off.

The disgraced celebrity says, “It was only a few middle-class women.” At the BBC, they sigh and wonder how it is all happening again.

It’s Sunday and raining. They open the first advent window, light December 1^st on their candle and wonder where the last year has gone.

Remembering Christmases past, the grandparents laugh and say, “Christmas is about having enough duvets. And avoiding the motorway.”

“Plus love, hope and Quality Street.”

Over tea and mince pies, the friends compare 2023 highlights. A son’s wedding, some bowel surgery, seeing the Caravaggios in Rome. Ups and downs.

Therapist, Mags, sees her final client for 2023. Despite her work, everyone is still mad. She doesn’t predict a fall in demand for 2024.

On the shortest day, they walk in the park. The London Planes are bare; it’s dark by four. But think of Spring, they say.

“The choir of children sing their song

Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong”.

Yeah, but nothing says Christmas quite like “The World’s Strongest Man.”

Danny, on hold to HMRC, wonders what else he could do with this time. Stop a boat, cut a waiting list, punch a PM.