The great friendship divide...

When a close friend cuts you out of their life, it can be as devastating as the end of a romantic relationship. Maureen Rice looks at why it happens – and how to cope

LET COUNSELLOR KEREN LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD

The first time I experienced empty nest syndrome it came as a huge shock to my system. I wasn’t prepared for the sense of loss I would feel when my eldest daughter, Mia, left home to go to university.

Our Antonella tells it how it is

Anniki Sommerville...

Whether by choice or not, singledom in midlife is on the rise. We explore the many pleasures – and occasional pitfalls – of going solo