Dear Ashley,

Wise words, my friend. You're right, so right, I shouldn't get worked up.

I paid proper attention to that comment in my last piece, because it was all getting out of hand, what with the tension of the last day of the season. I ate lunch during half-time of the Villa game and as the minutes passed, I felt like I'd be physically sick, such was my frustration at not scoring and fear that we would come away with nothing.

‘Oh, is there a match on darling?' It's sweet of Adriana to sound even vaguely excited on my behalf.

It's the first time today that I've thought about football. I've known for a while that I would be working late so I put it to one side, and anyway sitting next to Adriana for the afternoon's meeting is distraction enough.