'Salt and vinegar?' Asked Maria, nose wrinkling in apprehension. 'Isn't that a seasoning?'

Miranda looked puzzled.

'Yes. On crisps.'

She didn't see what the big deal was. Spaniards cooked with oil and vinegar all the time.

'Crrrrrisps.'

Maria tried the word out. It took some getting used to. She practiced it while Miranda busied herself with buttering the bread, unloading a couple of slices of orange cheese on it and commandeering a packet of crisps. Miranda opened the bag, poured out the contents and shoved half of them in between two pieces of bread and cheese. Maria watched in amazement.

'What…are you doing?'

'Making a sandwich.'

'That is not what you put in a sandwich' protested Maria.

'It is in the UK' Miranda retorted.

She squashed it down and took her first crackly chomp. Maria swivelled round.

'Max! Have you seen this sandwich?'

Max wandered over, furiously texting.

'Oh. Yes. Miranda would not shut up about it so we had one at some point. Is there any left?'

He quickly made one and ripped half of it to give to Maria. She took it bemusedly and nibbled at it.

'Take a proper bite' encouraged Max, who had already crammed his portion into his mouth.

'Ok. It's not bad' said Maria after a solid effort at chewing.

'That's what I said' said Max delightedly.

Miranda looked at them and shook her head.

'Sometimes you two have no taste.'