My brother needed to go over to Capalaba yesterday; it’s not far away and I thought I would take Bill for a spin in my smart car (the Imprezza or, as we say in Australia, “The Impresser!”). Bill got in and I remembered there were some nice Mint Imperials in the compartment between our seats; Roland had put them in the car for me before lending me his car for three months (I was impressed by both the car and the Mint Imperials).

“Would you like a mint Bill?” I asked, taking two mints out with a flourish.

“Thank you,” he said taking the mint and looking very thoughtfully at it.

He began to chuckle.

“What’s so funny?” I enquired.

“Someone once told me never to refuse a mint if it’s offered, and I have always followed that advice,” his voice trailed off enigmatically.

“Oh Bill, I just thought you might like a mint,” I laughed too before adding, “the people with bad breath never take the hint or the mint.”

Bill nodded. For a few moments we were both silent, each of us thinking of instances when, disappointingly, offers of mints were rejected…