Q. At a party recently I was bearded by a woman who effectively pinned me against a wall while she lectured me about an aspect of my work that has just reached the public domain. No one came to rescue me for about 20 minutes. How can one get away from people in situations like this without causing offence?
A.D., London SW1
A. Glance over the shoulder of the overbearing person as though your attention has been distracted by someone gesturing at you. Mouth ‘just coming’ to the imaginary person. Then say, ‘What a nightmare. I am being dragged away…’ Finish your sentence and move on, shaking your head reluctantly.
Q. I own a house in Normandy. Someone I know only slightly, having spent a weekend in his company at a mutual friend’s house, has telephoned to ask if I am ‘using’ the house over Christmas.
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