25 MAY 2002, Page 83

Q. I recently attended a small dinner party given by

someone who, as well as being something of a control freak, is very possessive over her friends. I met a woman there whom I would like to see again, but I know that, had I asked my hostess for the woman's address or telephone number, she would have wished to supervise any future encounters between us since she has me lined up for one of her sisters. How could I have casually extracted this woman's details?

Name and address withheld A. You could have asked her whether she was familiar with the works of some faintly obscure film director, such as Tarkovsky. When she replied no, you could have insisted, 'Oh, you must give me your address so that I can lend you my copy of Solaris. You would love it?'