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Single malt

The coffee has been served and people are making their excuses and heading off. We shuffle around the restaurant table, closing the gaps. I am sitting next to Sister Nene.

"How are you doing? Did you enjoy the food?" I ask.

"Oh yes - and all the better for it was free." The evening has been a work social gathering. A waiter comes up with a glass which he hands her.

"What are you drinking?"

"Whiskey," she replies, a little indistinctly.

"What kind?"

"Normally I like Jamesons. I don't know what this is like. It is something called 'Glenfiddich'."

"That's very good."

"I know. It is a single malt." She reaches for the water jug and eyes me conspiratorially. "I like a little water with it," she whispers and pours half a pint of water into the glass. I watch in horror. "It takes the edge off it and brings out the flavour." As she lifts to drink the light catches the drink - not even a homeopathic amber tinge remains. "Ah - it is excellent."

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