Caroline O'Donoghue: A party is just talking to a series of people in a series of rooms. Like Cluedo

"You should be part of the molecular make-up of the party; if you left, a little of the party would die, if just a small part."

I’m going to a party this weekend. My first proper one since Covid began. 

My friend Tom is planning a small garden party at his family home. I say ‘his’ garden party; it’s his parents party, really.