When an old friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer I tried to warn him about the effects of chemo and point him to alternative treatments. But that is very difficult. He was already so confused. And you also have people around him who try to protect him from crazy people like me. So often you don't get any further, as in this case, than trying to gently point out to them to protect their natural resistance.

Months later, I shouted a sharp, rude joke to the television in the pub when a corrupt cancer charity was advertised for the umpteenth time during the intermission of a football game. Immediately afterwards I saw that he was present in the back of the pub, and also his bewildered face. It may not have been good of me, but I was mad at those corrupt charities.

Years later I ran into him on the street. His face turned pale, he swallowed anger and pretended not to see me.