Drinking with the Admirals

Granted: I AM an inmate of a mental hospital; my keeper is watching me, he never lets me out of his sight; there's a peep-hole in the door, and my keeper's eye is the shade of brown that can never see through a blue-eyed type like me.

I've checked in a bag full of boxes of Cheerios. According to Tracey, US General Mills Cheerios are different (better) than European Nestlé Cheerios. We'll see.

Work finished early, so I had hours to kill in the airport. I started by slumming it in the BA lounge. Then I realised they'd also let me into the American lounge, where they have a rainbow, a real bar and a good selection of whisky - which is exactly what I need.

I slump onto the plane, an aisle seat with no one beside me. The meal offering is the usual: "chicken or pasta". I consider declining - the smart choice - but the whisky needs some solid company. I choose the reheated pasta, and despondently watch Passengers (a movie) starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt.