Q. I am godmother to a dear eight-year-old boy whose parents are separated. Every so often I try to see the little chap by inviting him to lunch in a smart restaurant for a treat. However the last two times that I have done this his father has trumped me by coming too and insisting on paying for the lunch, in fact settling it with the maître d’ behind my back. How can I get around this difficulty, Mary, since the boy’s birthday looms and once again I have arranged to take him to his favourite restaurant?
S.L.B., Barnes
A. Simply allow the father to do his usual trick but, as you leave, hand the eight-year-old boy a parcel containing a money box (very much back in fashion) containing cash to the value of what you would have spent on the two of you having lunch.
Q. I wonder if you can help? Just as I was about to drive away from my house on a rainy day, I noticed Samantha Cameron walking down the street with her little boy dressed in a Superman outfit.
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