twenty hours with Miss McConnell

I zoot home early last night from the woefully underattended (and really rather dreary) Wes Anderson Party. Helen, just back from London, awaits me on the steps along with her boyfriend Darren. He saunters, we go inside and a few moments later are joined by Tom and Sarah.

Wine. Cheese. Scrabble.

More wine. Apple crumble. Jimmy Stewart.

Tom and Sarah head off, leaving me and Helen to sit drinking Cocoa and admire the pluck of the two mice who have taken a shine to my kitchen. Suddenly it is 4am and rather than chase Helen into the cold night I offer her the spare room.

The following day brings rain, and so we end up mooching about the flat eating - scrambled eggs, cheese, lentil soup - and drinking a handsome amount of tea. Entertainment comes in the form of classic children's TV (Clangers, Trumpton, Herbs) and Jan Svankmajer's 'Alice'.

Saturdays rarely get better than this. Thanks Helen.