"It's weird that you actually LIVE here"

Ah, the encouraging words of my darling little brother. He arrived at the weekend and was greeted by flooded roads and freezing temperatures (well, freezing might be a slight exaggeration but there's a definate chill in the air) so all dreams of a winter tan went swiftly out of the window.


The Junior Spearmen being both cold and Arabic

I had spent the weekend in Dubai and had a fantastic time; nice weather, shopping with other people's money, amazing bars, champagne and sushi by the ocean, cosy nights in with The Date and good chats with old friends.


Sho Cho at the Dubai Marine Club - possibly my spiritual home

There was also the reason for going - an interview at the publishing company - and yesterday I was offered the job of Deputy Editor!!!!!! The people were great and Dubai is, I guess, my equivalent of going to London - only a hell of a lot hotter. Pretty much the same religious contingents though... There's just the small issue of accommodation. I'm sure that will sort itself out. Ahem.

So things are moving pretty quickly and the parents had some more surprises in store. The other night we went to a stunning Asian restaurant (with a disconcerting moat around the dining area that I nearly tottered into a couple of time). I had suspected Dad had organised something for Christmas after the Golden Tulip Hotel Disaster when we arrived - you don't want to know - so I was kind of prepared for a short stay at the Ritz during the festive season which would have been fab. Well, they managed to shock and suprise in the best possible way - we're going to Thailand for five days!

I have been pretty much mute with shock and smugness for the last few days - just can't believe we're going! So Mike's dream of returning to Leeds with some colour in his cheeks will be a reality and in my mind I have already spent some serious cash on appalling fakes.

On the downside I'm not feeling festive at all; the tree is up, presents are bought, an obscene number of mince pies have been eaten and I'm acquiring a taste for port (not easy after a vomiting incident at a certain New Year's Eve party in 1998ish. Gravesy you bastard) but no matter how many times I hear Jingle Bell Rock or cry "Merry Christmas!" with a false smile, I'm just not there yet. Only late night shopping in Corbridge or seeing the tree lights on the Sele could save me now.

Don't worry, I'm sure Thailand will cheer me up.

Helen Spearman - Deputy Editor