I’m sure you do, you must do – man possessed of all your insight and such capability. What with one thing and another it has been what we in the trade call a rather hellish week. And while making oneself out to be no sort of a soothsayer, all the portents are, it can only get hellisher.’ ‘The turn of events is, I confess Alan, something of a surprise to me.’ ‘Well quite. Bit of a bolt between the eyes for me as well, I assure you of that. I mean to say – not every day, is it, that your wife of how many years just ups and tells you she wants to be married in tandem, as it were. As the senior party, do you suppose I’ll be promoted to Husband Major? Or will the new chap be parachuted in over my head, so to speak, condemning me for ever to the I admit rather comfortingly familiar role of Minor? Quite apart from the mental turmoil and any of the more telling ramifications, it’s going to be one hell of a scrum in the bathroom, of a morning.’ ‘And all this came … without warning?’ ‘Not Susan’s way, you see.
