Q. An old friend has been complaining to mutual other friends that I have dropped her because I have become ‘so grand’. The truth is that we are members of the same profession and currently I have to work incredibly long hours and travel a lot while she does not. But, to reassure her, I invited her to dinner on the first night I have free, which happens to be in early December. We arranged to meet at eight. Now, as luck would have it, I have been asked to something vital on the same night which I would not be able to leave till 9.15 at the earliest. Although my old friend lives virtually next door to where this event is happening, I can’t invite her along because I would not be able to give her any attention at it; she would not know anyone, and she would feel even more chippy and think I had only brought her along so as to show off how ‘grand’ I am.
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