The rough knockabout sport of the working classes

Maybelle's fairly despondent about an important piece of work. Partly because it's another long-runner subjected to Mary and T.Aldous having done their "we've been offered £100, we'll ask for £50 and we'll spend £20" number on it. Mostly because she and Doreen had been getting stuck into it when a retired librarian stuck his oar in.

I've been being relentlessly positive at her and accidentally provoked a backlash.

"Not wanting to be rude or anything,"

she said. Which is her equivalent of my "with the greatest possible respect."

"When you and Milton get together for one of your meetings it must be like plaiting fog."