“ddddddooo yoooouuu knoooww,” Harry said.

I looked up at Harry.

“For God’s sake man, get off that machine while you talk will you. Makes you sound like a demented seal.”

Grumping and groaning about inconsiderate youngsters Harry switched off the antiquated slimming machine and came and sat by the pool. Three high calorie cocktails were already lined up for him. Courtesy of the buxom waitress.

“Do I know what, anyway?”

“Do you know that it’s my birthday,” Harry said, draining two of the cocktails in one swallow. “So I’ve set up a special celebration for us.”

“Oh, God, not another of your cruise by night orgies, please.”

“Nope not orgies this time,” Harry said, winking at the waitress as she brought another tray of cocktails over. “Something you’ll enjoy doing this time.”

“Jumping out of the space shuttle without a parachute?” I said.

“Almost, old chap,” Harry grinned. “I’ve booked the Solar Space Station for a celebrity bash.”

For once I was interested, in a nervous sort of way.