Yesterday was the Minister’s 36th birthday. In the overall scheme of things, this is not a big deal: the Civil Service don’t get a day off or anything like that.

Nevertheless – and particularly as I am an only Minister – I had expected my mother to be on top of the whole “17th of October” thing.

Last weekend she insisted I was turning 37 this year. Yesterday, despite us having a conversation, she didn’t actually remember to wish me a happy birthday.

So the Minister is glum. In fact, the Minister is having something of a Sixteen Candles moment:

Dear, sweet Molly…

Talking of which, I’m still only just getting into the whole YouTube thing really, but increasing chunks of my time are being eaten up by surfing to things like The Breakfast Club In 60 Seconds:

36.

Thirty bloody six.

I’m sure I was only 24 just the other week.