At ten past three, Reuben arrived at the front gates of the Botanical Gardens. He’d had to leave work half an hour early, pleading a doctor’s appointment. Joe glared at him. ‘You look as strong as an ox to me. What’s wrong with you?’
‘Er...’ Reuben racked his brains for an affliction that was not too serious or socially unacceptable. ‘I’ve got an ingrown toenail, the doctor said it needs immediate treatment.’ He assumed a pained expression. ‘It’s very painful.’
Joe shook his head. ‘When I was in the army in Malta, I marched twenty miles with an ingrown toenail. And a twenty kilo-pack on my back.’ He waved his arm in dismissal. ‘You ... you metrosexuals, you have no idea!’
Thank God for that. ‘Thanks, I appreciate you giving me the time off.’ Reuben limped out as quickly as he dared befo
