Mildly apprehensive

When I bought my flat just over two years ago, I was all a-quiver about inviting friends round for meals in a place of my very own. Christmas certainly figured highly on my list, but that year it was denied me as I had to go to my parents', having discovered a bit belatedly that Mother had expected me the previous year. As things turned out, it was for the best as my father died the following October.

Last year, it being our first Christmas without him, there was never any question of us being apart: I was away from Edinburgh for the second year running. This year, I'd invited two otherwise by-and-large unattached friends over for Christmas lunch, but Rob's now off to Italy while Peter's returning to his parents'. Thomas I knew wasn't going to be here anyway, but it leaves me feeling a little concerned about Christmas Day.

I will have the usual quantity of singing to do, true enough, and now I'm working out out my Christmas menu - a parsnip and nut plait with peas and braised red cabbage, I think - but I've still a niggling feeling it could all be a bit lonely.