The man sat smugly on the bus, holding a framed picture on his knees. He decided to hang it in the hall so that visitors would admire his good taste. He stood on a chair. His young daughter handed him a crooked nail.
–   What the hell am I supposed to do with that?
His wife handed him a knife with a heavy steel handle.
–   What’s this? Christ, I’m living with two idiots!
He tapped the nail into the plaster, then hung the picture on the nail, biting the knife between his teeth.
–    And now for the coup de grass (sic).
He hit the nail hard and the whole lot came crashing down.
–    Jesus Christ, it’s destroyed!
He grabbed his overcoat from the hall stand and left the house. His wife and daughter allowed themselves a little titter. However, they knew there would be hell to pay when he came home from the pub, ugly drunk.

splinter of glass
in the lino –
drawing blood

Gerry McDonnell