Of course, it was in everyone's best interest to start talking to me again - as soon as they needed a favour.

Someone had to sort out the filing. And after a week in the garden, I was relaxed enough to agree.

I can't believe Tim is leaving. Who's going to e-mail us jokes now? Off to Mali with VSO. Says he's renting out his flat to pay the mortgage while he's away for two years. If I owned my place, I'd probably do the same.

Everyone's saying they're going to visit, but I can't imagine anyone will get round to it. Mali. That's Timbuktu. Literally.

But we'll give Tim a good send off in the pub at lunchtime. And hopefully all afternoon if we buy drinks for the boss, keeping him amused so he doesn't notice.