six
After devouring a sumptuous Christmas roast with all the trimmings, the four of them raised their glasses of Prosecco in a toast to each other’s health and happiness. Elizabeth then brought out an oozing chocolate gateaux and offered it round the table with thick cream. Bob loosened the catch on his trousers and declared that this was the finest Christmas lunch he’d ever consumed. The old fool said that every year, Elizabeth thought fondly. She offered a cracker to Mae, who laughed with delight at her toe nail clippers and pink party hat which had erupted with a bang.
‘I can’t even cut my own toe nails,’ she said with a sigh. ‘My rheumatism plays up terribly every time I bend over.’
‘Then how do you cope, our Mae?’ Bob asked, pulling at the ends of his moustache.
‘I pay for a chiro
