Dear Jessica Brennan,

I have to admit, it isn’t just Dad who’s getting a bit thick with time. I, too, now seem to have the attention span of a hamster. Here’s an actual conversation we had at Sagi of Wortley the other night.

Me: We forgot to ask the server her name.

Dad: It’s MaryLynn.

Me: Mary Anne?

Dad: No, MaryLynn.

Me: Marilyn?

Dad: MaryLynn.

Me: Oh, Muriel.

Dad: (shout-whispering) Muriel? How the hell did you get Muriel? Not Muriel! MaryLynn!

Me: She’s a lovely young woman.

Love,

Mum xo