The rest of the dinner went on with a tense normality and, as soon as we had our catànies and coffee, we said goodbye to the family, alluding to the fact that we had to get up early in the morning.

British taraxacology in general and we ourselves in particular owe Chris Haworth a massive debt, as we have explained in the dedication of this book.

TOM. We haven't had sex with each other in five months. MICHAEL. We're in a slump, I know that."

Their arguing rose to a fearsome crescendo.