Hard work - anstrengend
funny - Komisch
takes the biscuit - If a story takes the biscuit means it is the ultimate. It can't be beaten
Engaged - verlobt (they got engaged last year)
far-fetched - A far-fetched story is an unlikely story. Hard to believe.
To take with a pinch of salt - please don't take it at face value. Question it.
Mum's the word - keep it a secret - say nothing
Visitors
Thank God they've gone, Jean. They were very hard work.
I'm exhausted, Ken. Jane's mum and dad are really very nice people, but enough is enough.
And, if only Jane's mum could stop talking so much.
But, one thing I really must say, Ken, Jane's dad is a very nice man. What he managed to tell us about his life in Africa as a missionary was very, very interesting. Especially the times he was nearly eaten alive by lions. Being a missionary was no easy job.
And, I bet, the lions weren't the only ones wanting to eat him alive. I've heard all sorts of funny stories about living in Africa. And, how he met Jane's mother. That really does take the biscuit!
How did it happen, Ken?
It was bad luck and good luck, Jean. Jane's dad had managed to miss the plane to London. That was the bad luck, and British Airways managed to rebook him on a plane the following morning. It meant sleeping in an uncomfortable chair at the airport, but Jane's dad was young in those days. But, the good luck was still to come. Sitting next to Jane's dad on the plane was a beautiful young lady. And, when they landed in London, they were engaged.
Are you sure that's true, Ken? The whole thing sounds just a little too far-fetched for me. Maybe we should take what Jane's father says with just a small pinch of salt in the future. I wonder what really happened?
Well, you can ask Jane's mum for her version of the story next time you see her.
And, that won't be for a while, Ken. Jane's mum and dad are going away for a month. They're going to Australia and New Zealand. They really need a holiday.
Australia and New Zealand! Am I hearing things? I thought they were poor!
Well, obviously not so poor as they want us to believe.
I think we should be more careful in future, Jean. We'll say nothing. Nothing at all. The truth will come out on its own. In the meantime, mum's the word.
But, right now, Ken. Let's have a nice cup of tea and a nice slice of cherry cake.
