ILLUSTRATION: MH JEEVES
Meeting someone in old age means you have been round the block a few times, up the hill and down again, seen life and love, relationships and work, probably shouted at your children and screamed and cursed at a few workmen who never turned up. Behind their backs, of course – you’re not daft, despite being old. There are some folks you have to keep in with. But, chances are you have, over the years, become somewhat bossy. I denied it for ages. Moi? Am I not the calmest, shyest, least assertive, most reasonable person in the family/street/workplace?
Miranda can be a bit like me – a right bossy Betty. While I can be a right bossy boots. The sparks don’t fly, well hardly, but we are as equally as keen on getting the other to do exactly what we want to do – what to eat, what to buy, where to go, whom to invite for supper, what to wear.