There I was sitting comfortably in front of the television one evening last week, the cat purring on my knees, when I remembered we needed milk.

Since I'm the only one in the house who likes milk in tea (apparently, milk inhibits the health-giving properties of tea) I was the only one bothered that we were out of the white stuff. And, of course, knowing there was no milk created a sense of urgency: I wanted a cup of tea with milk in it. . . and I wanted it now! In fact, I wanted my cuppa so much that I was prepared to travel the ten or so miles to the nearest all-night supermarket. The cat wasn't too happy about being disturbed and I wasn't too pleased with myself for making such a fuss. I grabbed the nearest jacket and my purse and headed for town. It was only when I reached the supermarket car park and got out of the car that I realised I was wearing an ancient pair of slippers! My first thought was to get back in the car and head for home. But then I told myself that it would only take a moment to get the milk and it was highly unlikely anyone who knew me would be late-night shopping. After all, I said to myself, I never see anyone I know in the local supermarket. It was only later I realised why I never see anyone I know locally. . . they're all in town late-night shopping too. My slippers were displayed to a local schoolteacher, my lawyer and some people from the main road. I was so flustered, I forgot what I'd come for and ended up buying a box of cat food and some bananas! I didn't even get my cup of milky tea!