Q. We live exactly halfway between London and Cornwall. People often ask themselves to stay so they can break the journey and we usually say yes — we need outside company to liven things up around here. My problem is that we are short of cash these days and I have started doing b&b. I still want my really good old friends to stay without paying, and I still want to see the less good friends, but I am not happy for those in the latter category to block off rooms which I could be letting out to paying punters. Can you suggest a tactful way of suggesting to less good friends that they actually pay to stay? I know this sounds grasping, but we do need the money.
— Name withheld, near Bruton, Somerset
A. When second-division friends try to book in, respond with enthusiasm and assurances that you will be able to make them very comfortable on sofas.
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