Scrambled eggs

I don’t mind rude letters, really I don’t. I don’t mind much, actually, which probably illustrates a fatal weakness in my character. But I do mind having eggs thrown at me. There I was opening my front door the other evening and, wham, splat, an egg was hurled in my direction. With unusual dexterity, I leapt to one side and the egg hit the door before squelching to the ground in a trail of yoke and shards. Then the culprit tailed it. But not before a noise like a gun going off shattered the now still darkness.

I bent down and examined the egg. Indignation rose in my breast. It wasn’t even free-range. Let alone organic. It was one of those battery-hen-laid-salmonella-infested eggs people buy for 20p a carton. If you are going to be hit by an egg, it ought at least to be a trifle more upmarket. Then I began to wonder who might have thrown it and why. Was it articles I had written supporting hunting and the right to wear fur? Surely not. An animal rights activist wouldn’t throw an egg — that would be murdering an unborn chicken. And there are so many Jewish ladies with minks around here that it would take at least 200 cartons to do much damage.

So I went back inside and started watching the news. Half an hour later the doorbell rang again. I debated whether to open it wearing a gas mask. A second thought had occurred to me. Perhaps bin Laden supporters were now using chemical egg warfare. I kept the chain on the door and peered out. Oddly, when people ring your doorbell they usually say who they are or make some sort of verbal noise.