Apparently, so our friend Roland in Brisbane told me, there was a rugby union final in Twickenham at the weekend and Australia and New Zealand were the finalists (hooray! Nice to know that the team from my homeland is doing well, even though they lost to their neighbours – not that I know anything about rugby union!). Anyway, Roly said that the stadium was jam-packed with rugby fans and supporters, which is why it was so strange that there was one seat vacant…

Before the match began the two men sat either side of the empty seat struck up a conversation.

“I wonder why that seat it empty,” said one of the men.

“It’s not a mystery,” answered the other man, “I bought two tickets – that seat was intended for my wife. Sadly, she couldn’t make it because she died recently.”

“Oh dear, how tragic to die before the cup final! I am sorry to hear that but it’s a wonder to me that no other family members wanted to use her ticket. Surely you have a brother or son who would have jumped at the chance?”

“Yes, they would have loved to come but they didn’t feel able… they are at the funeral.”