Those cuddly guys at Macfarlanes have been extending the warm arm of reassurance to their jittery associates in light of recent events. It appears that the economic apocalypse has had an unnerving effect on the wee timorous beasties.

An email sent to staff went along the lines of: “There are tough times ahead – but if we all stick together we can get through it.” What’s next? A cup of cocoa and a cosy fireside chat with Mr Martin? We don’t know about you, but here at The Diary all this fuzzy-wuzzy management makes us feel a little bit uneasy.