A good friend

This is how things used to be -

friend comes round for lazy breakfast or lazy afteroon tea. A lot of talking occurs. Then more talking, laughing, and a general feeling of being connected
to one another.

This is how things are now -

friend comes round for a quick piece of toast or a hurried cup of tea (always stored safely away at shelf level). The talking that occurs does not exceed more than 3, maybe 5 connected sentences. In the meantime, the children use the friend as a climbing frame, a billboard and a general target for any kind of attack.

We still feel connected. But sometimes I do wonder why she comes back!