What's the secret of a lasting marriage?

Alison's parents are celebrating their 49th wedding anniversary this month

I ask this today because it's my parents' 49th wedding anniversary and they are enjoying a mini-break in Bruges to celebrate. I'll see them tonight to see how they liked their first ever trip on the Eurostar.

Forty-nine years. It's hard to get your head around, by today's standards. I thought it would be fitting to hand the reins to them this week. So what's their secret? "Well we never really argue," says Dad. I remember that. The lack of rows just made my teenage strops ring out all the more ridiculous. "I think your mum thinks we should've shouted at each other a bit more", he says. "But we never really had an EastEnders moment."

Mum adds: "We are good friends and we discuss things. We've always talked things over, whatever it might be. You shouldn't keep things to yourself."

"Do you still have a laugh?" I ask. Mum pipes up: "He can still make me laugh at the same silly things he's been saying for 40-odd years." To be fair, my dad is a gentle – if at times unwitting – comic genius. And how could you be angry with someone like that?

Then, and I can tell I'm going to get The Big One: "Finances", says Mum, in that matter of fact way she does. Uh-oh. "We have never had separate money. We've always had the one joint account – and no secrets about what we're spending."

Then with a hint of glee in her voice, she adds: "We even share a mobile phone. That's love isn't it – sharing a mobile phone?!" With what we know about mobiles, I suspect they're on to something there.

"So do you think it was love at first sight then, Mum?" I deliver my final, cut-throat question. "Oh no!" she exclaims, with not a moment's hesitation. "There was certainly an attraction though," pipes up Dad. "What's this love all about anyway?!"

@lovefoolforever