Dear Mary | 8 May 2010 | The Spectator

Q. A dear friend was recently introduced to a woman my wife and I dimly recall as a casual acquaintance from our children’s schooldays whom we had found rather aggressive. She asked for our telephone number, explaining what splendid friends we used to be and, unaware of our true sentiments towards this woman, our friend gave it. We ignored the message she left on our machine. Now she is pressing our friend to organise a get-together, suggesting we probably didn’t get the answer-phone message. How do we save our friend embarrassment and avoid meeting up with our one-time acquaintance?

Name and address withheld

A. Press 141 to achieve ‘number withheld’ and ring the woman from your mobile while holding your radio, set to interference, up to the receiver. Simultaneously ring the same number from your landline so that you get through to her answering machine. Thank her for her call and say enigmatically that things are ‘difficult’ but if you are less preoccupied in six months you will give her a ring.