Last night/this morning Hels and I found joy in the most surprising places:

- Standing on the front doorstep, smoking and joining in with carol singers under the orangey-glow of the streetlamps whilst local urchins rummage through the bins. Ah, Christmas.

- Companiable consumption of the Perfect Boiled Egg with toast and marmite. Perhaps only a once or twice in a lifetime experience, the importance of this should not be underestimated.

- Cathartic post-funeral cleaning of the house whilst listening to the Stones.

- Random posh, sexy boys emerging bleary eyed and smelling of vodka from the snug whilst we get ready for work in the morning. What an unexpected treat.

I love the House of Rats so much.