The quip
Roger,tipsy,made a quip at Colette’s expense and their dinner guests laughed. One snorted. Colette raised a smile,but it was painted on. Oh god,Roger thought,I’m done for. Try as he might to retrieve the situation – “Stay there,Col,I’ll get it!“;“What a meal,honey!“;“Exactly right,love!” – she gave him nothing but shark eyes. As he stacked the dessert plates and anticipated,with a leaden gut,the guests’ imminent departure,he became uncharacteristically gregarious. “One more for the road?” he enthused. “The night’s still young!“;“Why not stay the night?!” Finally,desperately,“Please don’t go!” – Words by Paul Connolly. Illustration by Jim Pavlidis.