done and dusted

[bright and cheerful Dahlias at West Dean last weekend - to match the mood]

Phew-ee. Thank goodness for that. The most horrible school year to date has a happy ending. Tom and Alice have both got the A levels they needed to do what they want at their first choice universities. So next month they will go off in different directions to universities 200 miles apart, one to do Geography and the other to do Psychology.

The waves of relief started at 6.20 when Alice bounced into our room having found out that her place was confirmed, and they haven't stopped. However, Phoebe has pointed out that we now have another three consecutive Augusts of exam results when the process starts all over again with her next year. But as Scarlett O'Hara might say, next August is another year.

The wine is chilling.