Thank you my very lovely Crepey friends for all your good wishes and support. The 
have been made and several have been consumed. Dd and I have had a huggy day. I am v. proud of her because the ongoing problem with the dodgy "friend" has pretty much gone public this week and is very difficult for her. We had a rather bad night on Tuesday, when despite me going off to bed early, there was an unfortunate load of high drama in the middle of the night, thanks to evil messaging from the "friend" and dd rushed off into the dark at midnight. Cue me driving round the streets in my onesie at 1am looking for her (and there are no streetlights here after midnight). Thankfully, she came back home after half an hour, but we all felt a bit rough on Weds. She was extremely wound up about this anniversary and really didn't need the needling from the "friend".
I spoke to the school at some length and,contrary to my experience with them in previous years, they are being extremely good and highly supportive. She went in late today, as she and I sat outside the school in the car talking for over an hour about life, the universe, bullying and how she's a survivor, and how coping with the crap she's dealing with now will (hopefully) help her to avoid abusive relationships in the future. And yes, there was ample opportunity to talk about her father, which is not something we do awfully much, but which proved useful and somewhat therapeutic for both of us. Her lovely tutor looked after her when she got into school and her proper friends appear to be rallying round. The HoY is also on the case. So dd came home this afternoon all ready to bake biscuits and more talking was done than usual and she is already feeling better - about many things, I think.
I am very proud, because we have both worked hard to get her into a much better place than she was this time last year. I am hopeful that we can weather whatever storms there will be between now and the end of the year - and because of the circs, there may be a few.
So, Crepeys, I'm raising a glass of rather nice Fino sherry to you all tonight. Have a bunch of 
for me and I'm sorry not to be pulling crackers with you all.
Cremo - much strength to you for this marathon weekend.
BD, hope you will get a chance for some R&R.
Herbs, treasure every moment of "mature and responsible behaviour". 
Rose, I showed your ds2's amazing performance to my dcs and they were wowed. Partic dd, who is rarely impressed by anything.