Mary Killen Mary Killen

Dear Mary: How can I stop other diners eating my chips?

issue 18 January 2020

Q. My husband and I are committed Brexiteers. For many years we have regularly enjoyed friendly bridge evenings with a couple who are Remainers, but who are in every other respect unexceptionable. On consulting my diary this morning I noticed to my horror that it is our turn to host our next evening on 31 January. How should I handle this potentially difficult situation, Mary? When 11 o’clock strikes should I break out the champagne or forgo our once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate? Against the odds we have remained friends thus far.

— J.A., Suffolk

A. Social life has improved dramatically since the election, and fortunately 31 January will be one of the last opportunities for re-opening the old wound. No matter how great your enthusiasm for Brexit, there is no need for you to rub any Remainers’ noses in the (from their point of view) catastrophic result.

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