Your problems solved | 9 August 2018

Q. Good friends, who moved away from our city suburb a couple of years ago, retain a pied-à-terre the better to pursue their sensitive professional lives. They are, however, not entitled to parking permits for themselves or their morning visitors, so for some time we have been passing on to them extra parking permits. When they come round to pick up (and pay for) these, we all enjoy a quick glass of wine together. They are intelligent and upstanding and we like them and can’t believe that they can be so insensitive as not to suggest other meetings where we could spend more time together.
— Name withheld, London

A. Such pied-à-terre owners must socialise with intent when in town, prioritising first business contacts, next pushy people. Their new definition of a real friend is likely to be someone they rarely see. Their brusqueness with you is therefore a compliment. Be frank about your affection and suggest you give a dinner for them and a couple of others they need to work off while they are in London.