we all sag in middle age, but note how the ears are still pinned back in listening position 

priorities temporarily mislaid

we were driving through a monotonous part of west london at the beginning of a long journey

"not much scenery here ... " sez i

"I'm here, darling !" , sez the loved one, before I'd even added a full stop.

something fishy on the banks of the thames 

emotional blackmail alert

it's a bit like a computer virus alert, only the threat is ten times more insidious ...

after i had uttered an apology for some minor faux pas,

the loved one's reply was typically incisive, as follows;

"thankyou, i might let you make it up to me later"