We have these friends, Ivan and Reg who always argue. Sometimes they get pretty heated. They were sitting on the sofa the other day exchanging viewpoints when suddenly Ivan began turning a deeper shade of red than usual. He turned to Reg and spat out the words "Stinker."

I tried to divert Reg's attention from the unprovoked attack by offering him a cup of tea. It wasn't any good. Reg. was beginning to bristle. "Who are you calling a stinker?" he growled.

"You," growled Ivan, "if the cap fits ...."

An odd expression wafted over Reg's face. He glared at Ivan and snarled "You're the stinker - a dirty, rotten stinker."

I was getting alarmed. Things were getting out of hand. The pair were glaring at each other, eye-ball to eye-ball. Any minute fisticuffs could break out.

John intervened "How about coming outside to have a look at my new paint job," he murmured soothingly.

It was a relief to see them disappear out the door. I wondered what had got into them. Then I saw Ollie emerging from under the sofa - he was smirking. I went to pat him and was practically knocked over by the smell. "Stinker," I said.

Copyright © Beverley Dunlop
May 14, 2000