Out with the boys last night.

Or should I say “Out with the middle-aged men”. But we were boys when we met – classmates at a tough old-fashioned Catholic grammar school. It was, even for the 1970s, was a fairly brutal place. Great emphasis was placed on academic excellence, religious fervour and iron discipline. Ex-pupils are now more like former prison inmates, forever bonded by what they experienced there. I know some who remain traumatised to this day but we were more cheerfully resilient. It was great to see the “boys” again and, as we promised not to leave it so long next time, this was the tune I heard in my head. Of course, our school wasn’t exactly San Quentin. But trust me, it wasn’t far off.