"Alright there?" Greg asked, seeing Mick labouring.
Mick grunted.
"How's dry January going?" Greg asked, remembering his neighbour telling him about his commitment.
Mick paused. "Yeah, great, I've cut down a lot. Practically teetotal now."
Greg smiled. "Keep it up."
Great if Mick was indeed on the road to recovery, Greg thought. But he had his doubts.
The two men resumed pulling their bins, the clanking bottles in Mick's bin confirming Greg's fears.