I'm not entirely serious about all this, of course. But I have now managed to lose about £15, and have no memory of where or how I could have done so. I don't know if I spent it and forgot, or misplaced it while accessing my purse, or what. It's as much the not knowing as the losing that bothers me. Fortunately, I can manage without it, as many couldn't.

Looming is the neighbourhood committee meeting on Wednesday, which will take place under the aegis of our local Livia avatar (if you have been watching the repeat of I Claudius, you will know what I am on about). Having encouraged, in a very unpleasant way, the existing Chair who has served the community for 20 years to retire, she will be gloating. Another member has felt driven to resign by the atmosphere. If I carry on I open myself to attack if I do not acquiesce to the machinations. If I resign as well, I can't really complain if the neighbourhood is run in a way I object to, can I? I'm not happy.

Penny