44 Scotland Street: Episodes 61 to 65

Published on Friday 22 April 2011 17:33

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In the Cumberland Bar, Matthew meets Pat, who is there to meet Bruce. It must, Matthew says, be just a physical attraction, but as soon as he has uttered the words, he realises his rudeness. Fortunately for Pat, the Great Narcissist has slipped on a pool of hair gel in the bathroom and broken a leg. He has, however, sent his flatmate Neil to make his apologies to Pat. Neil is also extremely presentable, so no apologies are needed, and the two go happily off to dinner together.

It's not too long before Angus Lordie and Cyril turn up for a pint, but they find Matthew in a dismal mood that, for once, owes nothing to tiredness. It's Elspeth, he tells his friend. She is unhappy and wants to move back to their India Street flat. Not to worry, Angus replies: distress over change – solastalgia as it's known these days - is a well-known phenomenon. It is indeed something he might well have to face up to himself, as he has his own bit of distressing news to impart: Domenica, he is convinced, is in love with another man.

Meanwhile, on the No 23 bus, between Ulysses's screams (the poor mite is being denied a dummy by Irene, who has very firm views on the retardation inherent in oral satiation) Bertie hears some truly appalling news. Olive's mother has asked if her daughter can come and play next week, and Irene has said yes.