I can only tell you what I know. And this child was my nephew, as close to being my own without having to involve a member of that sex that resolutely refused to see any attraction in my person. Nonetheless, I know that only a couple of hours of his company - and I love him dearly - left me saggier than a strand of boiled spinach. Not that I am the fittest person in the world, but I used to rate my endurance - ten years ago, I could walk twenty miles and not get particularly tired.

As for being commitment-phobic, that is like blaming a blind man for his poor taste in paintings. I never had the opportunity.