“What time is it?”

“I dunno…

“…Oh, sorry, um, my watch has gone haywire – I think it needs a new battery. I don’t know why I still wear it; think I’m just used to it.”

“What are you so engrossed in, anyway. You’re not on that daft ficly thing again are you?”

“Yes I am as it happens. It’s not daft anyway. I’m trying to write a piece that’s pure dialogue, nothing else. There was a ficly challenge a while back before I joined that had that as the rule.”

“Hmf.”

“You asked a question then immediately stopped listening.”

“Not true. I heard it all.”

“Go on then- tell me what I said.”

“Something about a ficly challenge to write about a rule.”

“Close-ish. I knew you weren’t really listening.”

“I’m sorry darling, but it’s just not my cup of tea.”

“I know, but it is mine. And I listen to you when you want to rant on about sports cars and stuff.”

“True. But I only do that about once a week not fifteen times a day!”

“Hmm… I know what is your cup of tea… I’ll go and put the kettle on.”

“Lovely.”