under the counter

Despite my outwardly cynical demeanour I am in fact an old softy at heart; I like nothing better than hunkering down chez Clarke with It’s A Wonderful Life on TV and, it has to be admitted, two bottles of reasonable standard port within easy reach. And although I will also own up to enjoying few things more than a good fight – whether it be between futures exchanges, heavyweight boxers or young ladies in mud – there is also more than enough room in my heart for a making-up (and in this case I’m not talking...