I went out for a meal in the West End on Saturday night. It cost £80.00 for two including tip, the place was packed and the food and atmosphere were great. I went out for a meal to a Chinese restaurant in Hampshire last night it cost £90.00. We were the only two people in there and the food was mediocre.

Which restaurant would you think was going to survive? I would say the London one, but what if their business rates and lease were costing more than they turned over?

What has this got to do with divorce? Just that everything is not as it seems on the outside. The Chinese restaurant probably should go out of business, it is overpriced, the food is not good and the result is an empty restaurant. It is a family run business so their overheads are probably low and they are all supporting each other. We all know marriages that struggle on and couples co-existing in unhappiness for the sake of what? Their extended families? Money? Security? Fear of change?

There are also marriages which appear grounded but suddenly implode – think Tiger Woods.

Getting divorced is extremely stressful and can result in an avalanche of loss:

• Loss of companionship
• Loss of security
• Loss of home
• Loss of social life
• Loss of status
• Loss of mutual friends loyal to your ex
• Loss of money

It can also result in:

• Loss of feeling that life is passing you by
• Loss of living in a miserable atmosphere
• Loss of irritation
• Loss of having to compromise
• Loss of fear
• Loss of boredom

Unless of course you are prone to bitterness!