Dear Janice, the last night before I finished up for the festive holidays, I was at my work office party, and I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I went way over the top with the prosecco and ended up snogging one of my bosses!

I know it happens and people laugh it off, but I am mortified and don’t know how I can possibly face her when I return to work in January. The thing is, she has a husband, and I have a boyfriend and neither of us is gay, so how did this happen? 
I am sure no-one else saw us which is a huge weight off my shoulders, but I can’t get the whole scenario out of my head.
Do I act as though nothing happened? Do I ask to speak to her in private, or do I do us both a favour and look for another job? Jane.

Dear Jane, if every person who had had a drunken festive fumble left their job, January job vacancies would be off the scale.
Look, you are both in the same boat here. You’re both in a relationship. You’ve both snogged another person, and you both need to work together.
I would return to work and carry on as though nothing has happened because I reckon she will be as mortified as you are (at least she should be).
Bear in mind that she is married and shouldn’t be snogging either sex, but she did, and she is more than likely shaking in her boots a tad more than you.
If, however, she is brazen and approaches you to take things further, then you need to be honest with her. Apologise and tell her you had far too much to drink and that you made a massive mistake.
That is ... unless you enjoyed it!

Dear Janice, how can I start the new year with my man the way I need him to be?
We have been together for four years and he is very loving and kind, but also extremely lazy and untidy. 
He does virtually nothing around the house which means all day-to-day chores are left to me. The shopping is my responsibility too, and the garden, and the car etc. I’m exhausted and frustrated with my constant nagging so I really need things to change.
I have made up a spreadsheet of jobs which are split equally between us and pray that the new year will mean a new beginning for us.But what if it doesn’t? Carole.

Dear Carole, I would start the new year with a new man as this one clearly irritates the life out of you.
I feel that you will be fighting this losing battle for eternity. Is that really what you want? 
Producing a spreadsheet of chores is only setting yourself (and him) up to fail before the new year has even begun. Also, can you imagine your life if you have children?
I do wish I had more positive words of wisdom, but people rarely change, especially after four years of constant nagging, therefore you either accept this man (child), or free yourself up to enjoy a life with someone who at least meets you halfway.

Dear Janice, I am struggling watching as my dear friend drinks herself to death.
We have been friends since our school days and are now almost 50. Although, due to her chaotic lifestyle she looks much older.
I have had a word with her on many occasions, but it made no difference. She lost her job some months back as a result of losing her driving licence when she was caught driving well over the limit.
Now she drinks more than ever because she has more time on her hands and nothing to keep her occupied.
Her family have taken a back seat now and do nothing to help, but I find it incredibly sad and can’t just sit back and watch her disappear in front of my eyes.
What can I do to help her? Margaret.

Dear Margaret, she is very lucky to have a friend like you who has stuck by her as she descends into this living hell.
However, watching on the side-lines will be extremely tough on you too. She is living in a cycle of alcohol abuse. Drinking. No friends. Drinking. No family. Drinking. No job. Drinking until there is nothing left but alcohol. This is a self-abusive illness, but an illness all the same.
It is perhaps a blessing that she lost her licence before she tragically killed herself or others, and I very much doubt she is fit enough to hold down another job when her first and last thought in a day is alcohol. Alcoholics Anonymous (alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk) is there for her when she is ready to seek help, but first you need to get in touch with Al-Anon Family Groups UK (al-anonuk.org.uk), it’s there for anyone whose life is affected by someone else’s drinking. It can offer guidance and help for you, and your friend.
Whilst you do this, keep in regular touch. Visit her but try and get her out of the house as much as you can. Take her out for walks, or to the shops. She may resist, but at least you are doing something positive. 
Good luck to you both.