WORLD CUP FOOTBALL

Marcel, needless to say, still hasn't got over France's loss. Because he had watched the 1998 final from his baby buggy and seen them win, in his head it was inevitable that his baby brother would have an identical experience to recount 8 years from now. Charlotte knew either could win and was quite philosophical, but to Marcel losing was inconceivable. So when he received money for his 9th birthday last week, he went out and bought the Play Station Game FIFA 2006 and has sat day and night ever since replaying the penalties and puzzling over why Trézéguet always manages to score when he, Marcel, is at the controls!

I guess disappointment is part of growing up - he probably felt the same that day as I did at 11 when I queued for hours with my Granny to buy tickets to see ABBA when they came to Glasgow only to be told they were sold out when I reached the front of the queue. I thought the world had come to an end!