Mary Killen Mary Killen

Dear Mary | 10 May 2018

issue 12 May 2018

Q. My 50th birthday is looming and I am hosting a small dinner in a restaurant. This has proved challenging as I have at least 40 people I like but can only ask 25. However, of those I have already asked, ten are still hedging with ten days to go. If these A-listers would just admit they’re unable to come, I could ask people from my B-list. How can I pin down the flaky non-committers?
— O.A., London SW6

A. Email the hedgers a photo of the menu saying the restaurant is asking you to firm up orders. Could they specify their preference in the way of fish, meat or vegan? This will force the slackards to show their hands.

Q. Yesterday I was sent a beautiful bunch of flowers, anonymously. There are two people they could be from: my ex-boyfriend or a new business acquaintance I had lunch with the previous day.

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in