It was a terrible evening in Golders Green. The wind was blowing hard, it was snowing and it was very, very cold. The streets were almost deserted and ‘Bagels Bakery’ was just about to shut when Sidney entered. He looked absolutely frozen. He was wearing two jumpers, a thick scarf and an even thicker coat. His umbrella had blown inside out and he looked thoroughly miserable.

As he unbuttoned his coat, he said to the baker, "Two bagels, please."

The baker looked surprised. "Only two? Don’t you want anything else?"

"No. I only want two," Sidney replied. "One for Esther and one for me."

"Is Esther your wife?" asked the baker.

"Don’t ask silly questions," replied Sidney, "Of course she is. Do you think my mother would send me out on a night like this?"