January 21. “Since it is chotididi’s birthday, are we doing anything at all today?”

“She wants to go out for dinner. If that doesn’t materialize, we’ll stay at home and do our usual thing.”

“Did she like the story we put together for her?”

“She loved it. Hasn’t she told you anything?”

“Not yet. Maybe she will. But I am glad she liked it.”

“Yesterday’s Mumbai Mirror carried another peculiar story.”

“You have an eye for the bizarre!”

“You can say that again. This one was about a couple who have set aside a room for their 28 pet rats. Imagine that!”

“Rats as pets? Isn’t that weird?”

“Their surname is Rattray which is even more peculiar! They live in Yorkshire which has a rat club called the Yorkshire Rat Club which holds regular rat shows. The couple will also feature in a Channel 4 documentary called Head Over Heels In Rats.”