For five years, every Friday evening, Joe McNally had been visiting the Duncannon's for dinner.

Being a bachelor, Michael Duncannon felt a bit sorry for him going home each evening to cold comfort when he himself had the delicious aromas greeting him on his return home, finding Assumpta bustling around her cosy little kitchen.

He always sat himself in the overstuffed armchair by the kitchen fire to read his newspaper and chat a little with his wife....or rather she chatted and he pretended to listen.

Many a time she would chide him, 'Michael Duncannon, have ye not heard a word I said!?'

Joe was a kind fellow, honest and cheerful and Michael liked him very much.

Every week, Assumpta would ask Joe,

'So Joseph, and what d'ye fancy for dinner this Friday ?'

Joe's answer was always the same, 'Ah Assumpta me darlin girl, I'll leave it up to yourself, anything you cook is sure to be tasty!'

Assumpta was very flattered of course, but it did irritate her somewhat that he couldn't suggest something himself for a change.

When she put it to Michael, he just shrugged it off and replied, 'Sumpta, my lovely, he just appreciates all you do for him and doesn't want to be forward by suggesting, anyway he is right ye know, everything you make is delicious; so what's for dinner? Is that my favourite steak pie you've been making?'

So, Friday night came around as it tends to do and there were Joe and Michael sitting in the lounge chatting away merrily about music, the Irish government and the horses, which they both loved.

At 8 o' clock on the dot, the kitchen door opened and Assumpta called them to dinner.
Joe licked his lips, he knew as always he was in for a treat, what could it be? Steak pie, Irish stew, Shepherd's pie, Roast Lamb or Beef, his mouth was watering in anticipation.
When they were all seated around the table, Assumpta announced cheerily, 'Ok lads, I thought I'd make one of my Mam's favourites tonight, and with a flourish lifted the server to reveal........TRIPE!

Joe eyed it with dread, how could he not eat it after she had prepared it so graciously. Needless to say, the milk of magnesia did a fine job that night.

By the time Friday came around the next week, Joe had forgotten all about the the tripe debacle and was, once again, looking forward to a sumptuous Assumpta repast.

Joe stared at the plate before him and looked at Michael with pleading eyes. He just couldn't eat what was before him this time and was torn between being sick and offending Assumpta.

Just then, Michael piped up,''Sumpta, I love ye dearly , but what in the name of all that's holy is this plate before us!?' It was just a black mess -that's all Michael could see.

'Well, I thought I would try something foreign seeing as Joe loves to travel and so I thought this would be a nice change..it's spaghetti with squid ink, the Italians seem to love it and Joe always tells me to leave it up to me , so I did''

Michael looked at Assumpta recognizing the playful twinkle in her eye.
Joe just stayed silent, not wishing to offend his hostess.

After a few moments, 'Sumpta decided she couldn't watch Joe struggling with the idea of putting that gross affliction into his mouth any longer and started to laugh.

'Ah Joe me darlin' boy, I'm a cruel woman to be sure and after teasing you to high heaven. Michael take away this abomination and bring out the steak and ale pie from the kitchen, I'll go get the vegetables and I've a lovely apple pie for dessert....hahahaha!'

Joe breathed a huge sigh of relief and Michael kissed his wife on her flushed cheeks, 'Ach, 'Sumpta, you little divil, you teasing poor Joe like that!'

'I fooled you too Michael, the look on your face was priceless ! And from now on Joe McNally when ye'r asked what ye fancy , tell me!'

'Well, next week, I'll be looking forward to a fine leg of roast lamb , so I will.'

Sumpta gave Michael a wink and said, 'And ye shall have it with a rhubarb crumble for dessert!'

At that all that could be heard from the warm, little kitchen was the sound of munching and murmurs of approval as the friends enjoyed their dinner.