#and also the spacebar on my keyboard isn't working so typing is extremely tedious

[treason-and-plot]

Anita is indeed in the laundry, mopping up a puddle of water. Joël’s mood drops another couple of notches.

“Hey babe,” he says, with forced joviality.

“Hi darling,“ says Anita, slightly breathless. “The washing machine’s leaking again. In case you hadn’t noticed.”

“I’ll have a look at it later,” he says. “The hose probably needs tightening.”

“What if it’s something more serious?” says Anita.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” he says.

“I think we’d be better off just getting a new machine,” says Anita. “This one’s so old. The spin cycle sounds like a helicopter taking off. ”

“We can’t afford a new washing machine,” says Joël.

“Of course we can,” says Anita. “You probably made enough in tips last night to buy a dozen washing machines!”