I had a small party recently, of about 25 people, and as she said goodby,m a friend added: “I so enjoyed myself. It was such a success. And do you know why? There were no couples.”
She was right. There were a couple of gay couples, and a couple of people who’d only just started living together, but there were no actual couply couples, people who have grown into each other like ivy into a tree.
I hasten to add that many of my best friends are couples who’ve grown into each other like ivy into a tree. And actually there is something very comforting about being with them. I always feel, with them, even if they’re younger than me, that I’m back to being a child again, but this time with very nice and attentive parents indeed. It’s those terrible old bickering couples that I can’t stand. The ones who call each other darling all the time. People who, individually are delightful, kind and funny.