You know you’ve got a good New Year’s Eve on your hands when you sweep through two sets of grand curtains to be met by a kilt wearing Scot brandishing a saxophone. I say sweep, because that’s all you can do in a Tiffany-style charity find of a designer LBD, accompanied by one of your most favourite people in the world (Blessings to be counted, one).
‘Rach, I don’t think I’ll wear that Alberta Ferretti tonight, I’ve had two more mince pies and several large peaks of Toblerone. I’m just going to go for the trusty lurex’ whooped my text to her one hour earlier. ‘Just wear what you feel comfortable in’ came her consistently gentle, but firm advice.
Two minutes to leaving for The Vault @ Putney Pies I checked the result of my final decision in the mirror. ‘It is New Year’s Eve after all’ I texted. ‘I feel lucky to be alive and vibrant’ (Blessings to be counted, two). ‘I’m seizing the moment cuz!’
A ‘hello’ to Matt, our host in SW15 was swiftly followed by his stellar bar manager David, and fellow Glaswegian, serving us up some champagne. None of your glass three quarters full here: Generously filled to the brim it knocked any sophisticate notions on the head and tripled my enthusiasm for this – traditionally least favourite – night of the year.
We raised our glasses, chatting easily with David, relaxing into what felt like home.
Serena Morton’s disco party is deserving of capitals.
I knew it would be right up Conversation with Strangers’ street. Disco. Just that word is evocative of fun, decadence, good times and the inevitable classic tunes. I looked at the photos on display taken by Bill Bernstein to celebrate his book launch. I was there. I could feel the energy, the eccentricity and that feeling of being with like minded souls.
Every year at Maida Hill market around this time, the Mayor of Westminster comes down along with the local MP and a few other VIPs to switch on the Christmas tree lights. It’s a relatively new tradition that our community choir All Sing! is delighted to accompany with a few jolly carols – and anything else we’ve managed to learn during the term.
“I’ll totally understand if you want to bail” came the text from choir friend Kate. “No” I wrote back, “I said I’ll come and I will – no matter about the three hours sleep, I’m up now!”
The event for which I could not resist supporting my singing chum was the 
Keith – a feisty sounding scotsman – yelled on the mike to a male participant: “WHAT WORD IS GOING TO GET YOU THROUGH THE DARK TIMES AHEAD TODAY MATE? AND, TRUST ME THERE WILL BE LOTS OF THEM!!”
Conversations with Strangers 