I think that this is a time when we most need to be fully aware of the news, and also that this is a time when that is simultaneously easier than ever, and harder. Since Trump got in, I’ve shied away from news more than I should: haven’t seen a full news bulletin, haven’t watched more than a few YouTube videos, have unfortunately read quite a lot.

But not as much as I would have before, and not as much as I should, and I’ve told myself that watching drama and comedy is better for me. Watching some writing, filmed and performed. Only, last weekend I was in Paris and before I went, I re-watched Before Sunset.

It’s an absolute top-one favourite film of mine, but in it, main character Celine despairs at one point about how bad the world is and how we need to do something about it. Before Sunset was released in 2004. I couldn’t help myself. I said aloud, oh, bless.

That was my sole time thinking about news. The only other news I learnt during the entire trip was that Monica and Chandler have got engaged. I may be a bit behind on that.

And then I came home. 

This Paris trip was for a special occasion, not that you need a special occasion to go to Paris. But because it was what it was, I bought first-class train tickets for the run back from Eurostar in London to home. I don’t think I’ve ever done that before and it was so good to get free food that only costs you a fortune. Plus the train ride was more comfortable than any I used to have when coming back from the BBC.

But as part of such a ticket, you get access to a first class lounge at Euston. I have spent so many hours standing in crowds, waiting for the departure board to get to my train, waiting in the heat and the cold and always in the very most tired way. So nice seats — actually, just any seat — was a boon, and the air conditioning was almost good enough to stop me thinking about the impact on the environment. And they had two different sizes of Pepsi Max cans. 

The trouble is, they also had TV sets. And each one was tuned to GB News.

My welcome back to the UK was this foul channel. The sound was off, which was one blessing, so I don’t know what the show was. But watching it for a moment, I think it should’ve been called The Three Arseholes.

That’s what is being presented to people coming into the UK, and it is what is being presented to us. It sank me. I’m glad I got this view and could see how sickening things are outside my own bubble.

But I’m sorry, Celine. I have to go back to Friends.