These twelve original stories explore oblique and unexpected facets of contemporary life. The title story features a comedian whose act doesn't go quite the way he planned. In ‘The Pillar of Strength’, a woman discovers that her husband of thirty-nine years is gay when he is arrested by the police. In ‘The Fig-leaf’, a man who has sympathised with women’s sexual vulnerability discovers for himself the truth behind date-rape. ‘Contentment’ gives a new slant on the choices people make in their sexual lives. And a ‘marriage of convenience’ – between a gay man who wants to please his parents and a lesbian whose visa is about to run out – takes a highly unexpected turn. These stories employ a spectrum of different voices to explore all aspects of experience – friendship, family, misunderstandings, frustrations, griefs and joys. They will appeal not only to the author’s loyal readers, but also to a broad new readership for their assured style, humour, compassion and insight.