A Ship Without a Ruddock

A friend of ours, who works for DEFRA, is off to Ireland  to speak at a conference. 

Wife brings this titbit to the Breakfast Table.

Wife: "Pam's off to Ireland tomorrow, and she's going with Joan Ruddock" (our local MP).

MiL's toast pauses midway between mouth and table.

MiL: "Didn't you work for his mother?"

Wife (wearily confused): "Eh?"

MiL: "The Body Shop. She was the who lady you worked for."

Wife: "You mean Anita Roddick."

MiL: "Yes of course. But John could be her son."

Wife: "No mum, I said Ruddock not Roddick. And it's Joan not John.""

MiL: "Roddick and Ruddock? You're saying the same thing twice that's all."

MiL: " I'm not mum. They're two different names."

MiL: "Spell it then."

Wife spells out both the names very precisely.

MiL: "Oh! RodDICK and RUDDock."

Wife: "Yes. That's what I said."

MiL: "You did not. I can still hear you know."

a pause

MiL: "Ah well at least she has company for the journey. I'm sure John's a very nice man"