Muriel looked once again into the Maltesers packet. For the dozenth time. And it was still empty.

It was a warm day and Alexander thought of the tin of paint waiting for him by the shed. The brush would be drying up and by the time he returned to the garden it would be beyond repair. It would mean another trip to B & Q. He didn’t much like the shade of lilac either, but she wanted it, she who must be placated. Alexander sighed a little inward sigh, turned his attention back to the present and smiled warmly at his guest. He then parted his strong white teeth and plucked the cherry from her navel.