To make sure you know who the characters are I write about in my column, these are some of the names you’ll come across.

Cecile : that’s me, the writer of this column. I’m a girl in her mid-twenties. I’m living on the mainland of Europe.

Matthew : also known as Matt. He’s my boyfriend since summer 2006. He’s also one of my colleagues. The poor boy will have a whole lot written about him in this weekly.

Maia : she’s my best friend. I’ve known her for approximately 15 years now.

Willard : my ex boyfriend. Who made my life a living hell.

Chas : a good male friend of mine. Still a student and a bit obsessed with his favourite bands.

Orelinde : one of my best friends. She committed suicide in summer 2003.

Darrell : another one of my friends and colleagues.

Jonathon : Maia’s boyfriend. They’ve been together for ages, and live together in their cute little house.