The people in the lounge room eavesdropped for nearly ten minutes, trying to catch a stray word or two of the argument.   Then, as the Bennetts stopped yelling at each other, the others quickly began to talk about that came to mind.

“What do you think of the football result?” asked Kevin, referring to the tied VFL premiership, which had been replayed.   Although nearly two months ago, it would continue to be argued about for years to come.

“The whole thing was a put on,” insisted Jack.

“Yeah,” agreed Mandy, “they only did it because it’s an election year.”

Kevin and Jack stared toward Mandy, but it was Jon who asked, “What the hell has that got to do with the football?”

“Do you want to drink this?” asked Beth, holding Jack’s glass of beer over his head.   “Or do you want a beer shampoo?”

“Sorry,” said Jack taking the glass from Beth, “I didn’t see you return.”

“Yes, I noticed where you were staring,” said Beth.   To Norma she said, “Perhaps you had better get Jack to change places with Bob, so he won’t have such a clear line of vision.”

“Nonsense,” said Mandy.   “Jack was just smiling at me.   It’s a long time since we’ve seen each other.”

“Yes, I saw how he was smiling at you, like a starving man who finds himself at a banquet, and those knockers of yours are certainly what I would call man-size, bite-size.   Not that Norma has anything to be ashamed of in that department,” said Beth.   She handed Norma the second glass of beer.   “She’s easily got at least a six-course meal on each side of her chest.”

“Oh, no,” thought Bob, as he slumped down onto the sofa, “don’t tell me she’s starting again already?”

*      *      *

8:32 PM