Bobby's niece has just got engaged; the wedding is set for Easter Saturday, and she desperately wants Soph and Em to be her flower girls. Sophie and Emily, are, of course, equally desperate to be there. This is something the three of them have talked about for years.

But, we can't afford it. I had a look at flights last night, and flying to South Africa at peak season is just not do-able for the five of us.

The thing that adds an extra edge of sadness to this is that I think that Bobby's mum assumed that we'd be able to go. She was already planning the girls' dresses, and was mulling over all sorts of things to do with us.

Sometimes being an adult is depressing. It's no fun being the ones who have to say "no" and be all rational and sensible all the time.