“And can you believe it, he said: ‘Am I going to have to talk about my inner chakras…’ Prunie, are you listening?”
“Sorry Sonja, what was that? I must have dropped off there. Frikkie and I made love in the early hours this morning and I missed out on a few hours of some vital sleep. It was worth it though, sjoe!”
“Prunie, regtig egtig, you have not been a good listener lately. Here I am pouring my heart out about this date I went on and you are practically snoring.”
“Now Sonja, be fair. You know I love you to share your stories, even when you go on a bit long, or lately repeat yourself a lot.”
“What do you mean repeat myself a lot?”
“Well, you know, say the same things. Tell the same story, as if you hadn’t told me before… a few times actually.”
“No! Surely not! Really!”
“Really!”
“V*k Prunie. I’m only 51. And I look 42. So I’m told. My Dad started doing that at around 65. It used to drive me nuts. I didn’t want to be rude though, so I just listened to him and tried not to roll my eyes or sigh.”
“Life’s too short.”
“What! Where does that come from now?”
“Life’s too short, not to tell your friend who is only 51, that she’s repeating herself a lot lately.”
“Cross my heart Prunie, help me notice. I’m going to be paranoid now.”
“Fair’s fair bokkie. You’ve got good eyesight. You’ll be plucking my whiskers when I can’t see them and I’ll elbow you when you’re repeating yourself. It’s called the joy of getting old with people who know yoooooo.”
“I am only 51!”

“Frikkie’s aunty Flo would say you’re in denial.”
“In denial of what?”
“The ageing process, the life-death-life cycles, being part of nature. The fact that we are all going to die. Don’t you find it strange that every time somebody does die we are shocked, as if it shouldn’t happen.”
“Gosh Prunie, it’s not even my second cup of green tea in the new year and you’re taking us into a deep dive conversation.”
“That’s part of why you love me isn’t it?”