Plus One : The Next Generation

Max has only been here a week and already he is carrying on our fine and noble family tradition. He accompanied Tracey Ullman as her plus one to Clive Davis’ Pre-Grammy party – the hottest ticket in town. They sat at the same table as Rod Stewart and Lionel Ritchie. Gladys Knight was behind him, Whitney Houston to his left. What a great start to his new life in Los Angeles.

It is wonderful to have him here. He’s staying at Julia’s at the moment while she, Arthur and Marley are in The Philippines enjoying the five star treatment as befitting “The Jewel of Pop Jazz” as Julia is known in those parts.

Max takes Muttley for a long walk every day, something the hound hasn’t had since Marley was born which is why he’s as fat as a pig. Max is loving being in Topanga Canyon, although he is rather trapped there because he doesn’t drive. Californians gasp in disbelief when they hear he can’t drive yet. They can’t comprehend that many people in Central London don’t drive as they use public transport or walk and there’s nowhere to park your car even if you have one. The very idea of a congestion charge is impossible for Americans to comprehend. That’s next on our list of jobs to do: teach Max to drive. He was thrilled to discover that it’s impossible to stall an automatic. I drive up to see him every other day to take food parcels and clean washing. He’s loving having the time to just be and write.

However, he had a horrible wake up call yesterday when the septic tank overflowed, causing a heinous back up in the toilets. That’s country living and being a Plus One for you - life is grand one minute and a shit show the next.