I hate to think I would begrudge my friends their good fortune, but just sometimes I find it gets the better of me.

I always try and console myself that happiness is more important than material things but a) I don’t feel particularly filled with the joys of spring (although things have perked up a bit since the weather’s improved) and b) yes, I’d rather be driving my friend’s new convertible BMW than sitting behind the wheel of my very untrendy, uncool people carrier.

The absurd thing is, the day before I met Mrs BMW I felt like the bee’s knees: there I was, driving along the south coast in Peugeot’s new 308CC. Roof neatly packed away, sun beaming down and a whole day ahead of fun, food and freedom. There were ten cars on the launch of this stylish beast and I was determined just to enjoy the experience for the day – and I certainly did just that.

Past the beach we went, along country lanes, fantastic scenery and for a brief moment I thought I was one of the beautiful people who could have it all. It was only when I saw our video afterwards that I realised that it truly was all in the mind! So there I was excitedly telling my friend all about the wonderful day I’d had and the fantastic car etc. etc., when she quietly slipped in that she’d ditched her new Fiat 500 – got bored with it – and replaced it with the aforementioned BMW.

Well, that shut me up.

I dutifully ‘oohed’ and ‘ahhed’ and then waved her off as she stylishly (she does everything stylishly, even when you see her first thing in the morning, kids running wild and her in her PJs) drove off to her exciting life. I chugged home in my old barge, muttering to myself. My day will come – won’t it?