"Hello," said Sam in a defeated voice.
"How are you, old friend?" inquired Jake.
"I have thrown it all away, a precious pearl into a deep murky lake. It is finished."
Sam had been rich but in mid-life gambling had taken over, an insidious disease.
Half an hour later he switched on the TV to check the Lottery having discovered two pound coins under the settee and bet, without any expectations.
All the numbers came up. He thought he was dreaming.
"This is a new start!" he screamed out loud and yet...only half believed.