How to lose 13 years in an hour....

I left work early on Wednesday to have a facial. I had seen the special offer in the hairdressers on Friday, and signed up immediately. A special dermatological facial, 75 minutes, for half price..with face, neck and shoulder massage...and the facial was especially for 'mature' skin..all right, old people....just what I needed...

I arrived to be greeted by Charlotte, the beauty therapist, young, blonde and immaculately made up. I told her I felt my face had suffered recently..stress, lack of sleep, age..I looked saggy and tired and with puffy eyes..she smiled and said I was lovely and she had noticed my lovely dark hair (chocolate, remember..) and that I had very pretty, intense blue eyes. She said I shouldn't he hard on myself..come on, what woman isn't???

Anyway, I undressed and lay under my towels, enjoyed the warm dimly lit room, with candles and soothing music, and Charlotte opened jars of cream, cleansers, toners etc. What did I want most from this facial she asked? Oh, I said, just take 10 years off me, that'll do...

75 minutes later I had relaxed, slept, been cleaned, exfoliated, creamed, massaged and opened my eyes feeling amazing...she said I had good skin, still firm, but yes, it looked stressed and I needed more sleep and to drink more water! (Not hard, I hardly drink any!)

I drove home, had a shower and washed my hair, put make up on my newly cleaned face and set off to a One World Week service to represent my charity (sorry, can't name it, too risky...) I took my seat on the front row, ready to take part, when in came the Deputy Mayor and was seated next to me, a very nice lady who was pleased to have someone to talk to. We chatted easily, and I noted how relaxed and happy I was feeling, as opposed to stressed and very antisocial. She talked to me about her children, and I asked the usual questions. She then asked how old my children were. Well, James has just turned 32, I said, and she actually jumped! What, she said, 32? Yes. I was very young when I had him, I smiled, trotting out my usual line... yes, but not like, 10, she said. Well, no, obviously not... But seriously, she said, I am 42, I thought you were about the same age as me, really. I laughed. Well, I thought, I must let Charlotte know that she has not just taken 10 years off me, but 13!!!!!!!