The Dinner Party Part 2

A new British survey reveals that 57% of the people interviewed find throwing a dinner party puts them under more stress than going to work. Further findings show that 44% of the population believe giving such a party is frightening than a visit to the dentist.
“I don’t want to”, was my initial reaction to the idea, “I work hard enough during the week as it is. I need a rest.”
“Oh come on, it will be fun. If you don’t entertain how will have any friends?”
As usual I was outnumbered, it was two against one (my wife is a Gemini thus gets two votes).
“We’ll only invite two couples, a piece of cake.”
“So who did you intend inviting?”
“Well we have to invite Ruth and Manny”
“Right we owe them one”
“And then there’s Francesca and Martin, we haven’t invited them over for years”
“Weren’t they here for coffee last month?”
“That doesn’t count.”
“Plus Elizabeth Downing”
“Ah the dotty divorcée. Won’t she feel a little out of place among the other couples.”
“Yes well I was thinking of inviting Jock.”
“Jock? You don’t mean my Jock, the eternal irresistible bachelor Jock? You wouldn’t be trying to play matchmaker again?”

“No, I mean, well he is single and Liz is quite a catch and..”
“Liz and Jock, well I can’t see that happening, but who knows. If we pour out enough booze and dim the lights. So counting us that would make eight.”
“Yes I suppose.” There was something in her tone that should have sent me running for the hills.
Several nights later we were at the supermarket stocking up for D-Night. My better half was half way through filling a second cart when it dawned on me, yes I know I’m slow,
“Hey steady on. Surely your buying far too much for four couples.”
“Yes. Well there’s been a slight change of plan.”
“How slight?” My wallet was already planning a quick getaway.
“ Maureen called so I had to invite them and you know I can’t invite them without the Simons. So we are now..”
“Twelve?” I butted in hopefully.
“Sixteen.”
“So who did I miss on the way to picking out the tomatoes?”
“The Newmans and the Trumans”.
“Sweet love of my life, I think you are forgetting something.”
“No It’s alright, I spoke to the Browns but they’ll be out of town, and the Arlingtons are invited to a wedding and…”
“We only have `twelve chairs.”
“No I’ve got it covered, the Kohns are bringing some with them. You always make such a fuss.”
“O.K. Honeybun.” I answered as I followed her to the meat section. It wasn’t till I had paid for everything that it hit me.
“Honey didn’t you say sixteen.”
“Yes dear, sixteen.”
“But you didn’t count in the Kohns. According to my reckoning that makes eighteen.”
“Steve”, she replied, putting on her widest smile, “You know I married you for your brains. I was never very good at maths.”
Game Set and Match – she was definitely better at this game than I would ever be.
“Darling, you remember that loose tooth that is giving me so much trouble?”