The friends every woman needs

The New Year is a good time to reflect on your friendships – what’s working and what isn’t. Fiona Gibson guides the way

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True friends scoop us up when we’re down and cheer us on throughout life. When I arrived in London, aged 20, to start a new job, I fell in with a bunch of young women. We’re all in our 50s now, and each of us is very different, which is perhaps as it should be. As life coach Carole Ann Rice puts it, ‘it’s unrealistic to expect one friend to be everything to you. I look upon my own friendships as a sort of composite quilt.’

The friends every woman needs...

THE CONFIDANTE

No secret escapes from her lips – not even after several drinks. She knows who has a crush on whose husband and who busted a zip in the changing room, but she’s a firmly locked filing cabinet of intrigue – and you love her for it.

THE ORGANISER

Like a Scout leader for grown-ups, she takes on the entire planning and booking of any group event. As it grows closer, she adjusts the itinerary 96 times as participants change their minds. Feeling guilty, you might offer to ‘help’, but bear in mind that she loves organising everyone and the occasional moan is part of the pleasure for her. Just remember to thank her!

THE INSPIRATION