Dear Mary: How can my celebrity husband still be recognised in a face mask?

Q. I am running out of suitable responses to a friend who now has the slightest possible connection to one of our ancient seats of learning. He never mentions his own child (who is at a very new, very undistinguished university) but goes into endless detail about his girlfriend’s daughter who is in her final year at Cambridge. In particular he can’t resist sharing his delight at being allowed to drive down Trinity Street to drop off her luggage, and the excitement he feels every time one of the college servants doffs his hat and calls him ‘Sir’. Having listened to this same anecdote at least twice a term for the past three years, I no longer know how to respond without sounding rude. Mary, what should I do?
— D.L., Suffolk

A. Say: ‘Oh yes, do tell this story again. I never tire of it. What are friends for, after all? I expect you must have to disguise your excitement when you talk about Cambridge with your family — especially with your own child?’