"Just look at that sky, not a single cloud in it"

London Pride, Piccadilly – and love is in the air. I can’t get away from all the affection.

I have submitted to several unsolicited embraces from Gay Pride marchers wearing sweat-drenched T-shirts emblazoned with the words “Free Hugs”, and it’s far too hot for hugging.

But it’s not just the huggers whose affection I can’t avoid, it’s my sister’s; right now, she is all affection, enjoying the freedom of our easy-going, undemanding intimacy to insult me in that relaxed way which comes from knowing someone’s shortcomings inside out, but without this knowledge dimming affection. It’s a magnificent thing, unconditional love, when you think about it, but there’s no getting away from it sometimes.