The PM who likes to party — in moderation

19 TIMES YOU HAVE CROSSED PATHS WITH THERESA MAY

1 At the B&B in W ales eight years ago, the Mays were the couple at breakfast two tables along. You overheard them quietly discussing that day’s walk.

Mrs May planned to bring along her compass, sun hat, Swiss Army knife and blister plasters, ‘just in case’. Mr May replied: ‘Best be on the safe side.’

they then helped themselves to muesli with low-fat milk and — ‘as we’re on holiday’ — two spoonfuls of dried prunes.

2 MRS MAY was the teacher five desks along at the parent/teacher meeting at your child’s secondary school 15 years ago.

She said there was plenty of room for improvement, but the pupil would get nowhere if he didn’t apply himself more.

3 It W AS Mrs May who was driving the car that zipped into that parking space just as you were preparing to back into it.

As she got out of her car , she gave you a wave and a sympathetic grimace before striding off triumphantly.

4 At the drinks party 12 years ago, she was the woman in the pale blue dress who asked you where you lived and what way you came before going on to suggest that you might have been better taking an alternative route.

Your conversation then ground to a halt as you both searched your brains for a fresh topic.

5 She was the girl at school who never went anywhere without a pencil sharpener, slide rule and set of compasses, all neatly packed into a shiny case.

6 IN the local committee meeting three years ago, she was the one who kept saying: ‘On a point of order, Mr chairman . . .’

7 At the teenage disco, she was the girl who asked the DJ to play something less noisy. Asked what she would prefer , she replied: ‘Anything with a catchy tune.’

8 ON hOLIDAY a few years ago, she was the woman in the nextdoor chalet who sat on her porch listening intently to Radio 4’s You And Yours programme, pen in hand, taking notes.

9 IN the school Nativity play 50 years ago, she was the girl who played the village innkeeper.

the review in the school magazine singled her out for attention: ‘this is the part that theresa was born to play . When she told Mary and Joseph, “No room at the inn!” she did so with great conviction.’

10 She was the customer two ahead of you in the queue in the carpets and flooring department at John Lewis last autumn.

She took away four reasonably priced samples, two in light brown, one in beige and one (‘something that little bit different’) in fawn.

11 At the children ’ s birthday party in 1966, she was the little girl in the powder-blue dress who held up her hand and politely pointed out to the ventriloquist that she could see his lips moving.

12 IN the dentist’s waiting room four years ago, she was the patient ignoring the women ’s magazines and ploughing her way through the pile of Which.

13 ON the plane, she was the passenger across the aisle who studiously jotted down notes as the steward went through the safety routine.

14 IN ChURCh on Christmas Day , she was the member of the congregation who looked daggers when you stood up in all the wrong places.

15 OUt in the middle of the countryside last summer, Mrs May was the fellow walker who stopped alongside you to make sure you were intending to pick up the mess your dog had just made. 16 She put a flyer through your door informing you of the forthcoming meetings of your local Neighbourhood Watch. Before she left, she said she couldn’t help but notice one of your upstairs windows was slightly ajar.

17 At the office party, she placed a paper hat on her head. ‘I’m a great believer in letting one’s hair down at least once a year!’ she said, before quietly taking it off again ten minutes later and patting her hair back into place.

18 ON UNIVeRSItY Challenge in 1975, hers was the only team able to name the Chancellor of the exchequer in 1948, the name of the third longest river in Britain and the capital city of Manitoba province in Canada.

however, she drew a blank when it came to naming the drummer of the Beatles.

19 She was the receptionist at the three- star hotel in Gloucester - shire who reminded you twice in ten minutes to leave your key at the desk before departure or a charge might be incurred.