Dad: Tell her! We're not having it. She makes me so anxious. Why does she have to see that boy again? He is constantly after her. As soon as she's single again...

Mami: I've told her we're worried, but...

Dad: It's not on. *emphatically gestures with hands*

Mami: *rubs forehead* Well she's gone there now to have dinner. And she says they're "just mates", so I trust her.

Dad: Hmmph. *stalks out of room*

Things are tense at the moment. My sister is seeing someone who my parents believe should be only a distant bad memory. You would be right in wondering what will happen next. Will Dad crack under the strain of trying to be civil? Will they stop not talking, and progress to screaming? It's all very possible.

Everyone's on tenterhooks. Like meat. The saying reminds me of pig carcasses hanging from hooks in the cool room of the butcher. Nice, I know.