The winking red light is the harbinger of grief

Why oh why do we never learn?

That red flashing light on your Blackberry, mischievously winking in your pocket, never brings good news. But like moths to a flame, we cannot resist. Who might it be ? What's gone wrong? Is it a disaster? 

Nervously you wait for your other half to pop to the restaurant loo, then out it comes. "Don't do it - you'll regret it". But no, it's too late. By now you've spotted the subject in the inbox. You're not only hooked, but they're starting to reel you in,

Nervously, you click on 'open' - curiosity (and fear) taking hold. 

followed by...

YIKES!  

Could it get any worse?

Of course it can...

Finally:

More wine anyone?

Seriously, the gentleman concerned has clearly gone to extraordinary lengths to pull this substantive work together. As he wrote in a second email, "I am sure we will get to know each other well in the months and years ahead."

I rather suspect that we will.