Mutton dressed as lamb

These are the words no woman ever wants to ever hear and certainly not at the young age of 25...

I have spent most of my working life in Universities. They are wonderful places to work because of the diverse range of interesting people you get to meet.

I am privileged enough to work with a handful of students every now and then, and having just done a 5 week stint with a team of students, we all wanted to party to celebrate. Working with students certainly keeps you young and there is never a dull moment - I remember my own time at University - there is always a funny story from the night before or some scandal going on to gossip about.

In previous years I have always kept celebrations with students low-key - a few drinks, pizza, prizes, and always aim to be home by 7pm - keeping my car close by to avoid alcohol intake and inappropriate behaviour.

As always, I make my prompt exit at 7pm, thank them for all there hard work and leave. I have an evening planned with my housemate Ellie* and my friend Luke* - Pizza, Wine, DVD and Duvet. I can't wait. Its been too long since I had an evening without having to use my brain. All is well - the Pizza arrives and the three of us snuggle down with our Pizza and a Romantic Comedy. But I couldn't help but think of my team out dancing the night away. I wanted to be there too.

I suggest it to Luke and Ellie. Ellie is not really up for it - she works hard and needs a lot of sleep. Luke however thinks there is no harm in going for a couple, as long as we leave by midnight. So I get ready. Hair straightened, Make-up done, but the question still looms... What do I wear?

You see - a normal night out I would dress up, sticking to the golden rule - show a bit of leg OR a bit of cleavage - never both. But now I feel I should dress slightly more conservatively - after all, these are my employees. At the same time, I want to fit in in a student venue. So I opt for a short skirt and nice top. I ask Ellie and Luke's opinion - and the look says it all - "Mutton dressed as lamb".

After changing into a longer skirt, we head to the Bar. Luke offers to drive - someone to keep me in check. The students seem pleased to see me, and Luke whispers in my ear something to boost my confidence a little. I wonder if they think he is my boyfriend. I laugh with the students and before you know it there is a pint of something in front of me. And then a shot. And then another. Midnight is never going to happen and Luke opts for an early night - I am glad he was there to hold my hand - just for a while.

We head to the dance floor and dance the night away. I feel old. I am dressed conservatively and the students around me all seem to be well dressed, elegant, and beautiful. Even my dancing feels old, but my students humour me with more shots and silly dancing.

At 1am, I leave. I realise the students have a different agenda - to get me wasted. It was fun and I was glad I went, but sometimes those lines between employer and employee become a little to close to being blurred, and my cue to leave was then. It was a good move.

Or at least I thought. I get into bed and look at my phone. It is time to send one of those obligatory drunk texts. "Hey Chris*, I hope you are well and work is good. Just wanted you to know that I still miss you. Always, B. xx"