Q. I've been single for ages and it doesn't usually bother me, but recently all of my friends have got into serious relationships and I feel really left out. How can I make them stop inviting their boyfriends everywhere we go without sounding like a bitter singleton?

A. It's a sad fact of life that your friends will probably be seeing themselves as half of one whole rather than as an independent until right now. This is a phase of being 'in love' and, even if you can get them out alone, you might find that all they want to do is talk about their blokes or be busy texting them. A more strategic way to get them to yourself would be to invite the blokes along every time, until they get fed up with your company and start to turn the invites down themselves. A couple of evenings discussing Corrie or Gavin's man-tan on Strictly should do it. Or, plan a girls' night out once a week so you can all catch up properly without the men in tow.