Q. I often run into a dear friend and neighbour
when I’m boarding the train to London. I like to use this 90-minute journey to read but this friend always boards the train without reading matter. She likes to chat about racing the whole way up. I like racing too but I would rather chat about it in a drawing-room. I always feel slightly resentful when we arrive in London that I have wasted this precious reading opportunity. How can I overcome this problem without causing offence?
Name and address withheld A. Next time you are in a drawing-room with this neighbour, bring up the subject of books and who is reading what. Then say, ‘I always complain that I never have time to read but I have worked out that I can fit in X numbers of hours of reading per week if I just discipline myself not to chat on the train and read instead. I’m really determined to do it.’ Turning to the chatterer, say, ‘Shall we have a pact that we always bring books when we’re going on the London train?’ If she says no, she would rather chat about racing, then cry, ‘What a shame. We’ll have to start sitting separately.’ If she says yes, then she cannot take offence if you keep your head down on future journeys.
If you have a problem write to Dear Mary, c/o The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP.
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