My mum loves the movie “Love Actually”. She quotes lines at me throughout the year, but especially around Christmas time. My dad has become so resigned to her obsession that when she puts on the film, he leans back in his armchair and has a nap.

She told me after she first met Alex that he reminded her of Liam Neeson’s little boy in the movie, the one who races through Heathrow Airport to impress a girl. He doesn’t look even a little bit like the actor, but I knew then that if I break up with Alex my mother will take his side rather than mine.

Anyhow, the reason I’ve been thinking about my mother’s obsession is because this week I’ve been discovering that love actually is all around.

It started, as it so often does when it comes to love, with Kitty. &ldq...

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