The Twelve Dates of Christmas

by Jenny Bayliss

‘You’re spiky.’ ‘Spiky?’ repeated Kate. ‘Yes,’ said Matt. ‘You prickle when someone tries to pay you a compliment but you equally prickle when someone understates your worth. Spiky.’

‘A man is like an optional extra: you should only take one on when it is beneficial to do so. It’s like refraining from the fourth plate at the all-you-can-eat oriental buffet,’ Kate continued. ‘Just because it’s there, doesn’t mean you have to have it.’