the reverend colin wheatsheaf wiped a tear from his eye , scratched his head in total bewilderment and decided he had better go and have a lie down for an hour chapter eight man the lifeboats now , while i have no doubt that there isnt one amongst us who hasnt , at some time or other , caught something out of the corner of our eye and for a split second , perceived to have spotted a black cat leaping out of the wallpaper , i am equally convinced that there can not be too many people out there who , whilst casually preparing a few sausages in a frying pan , are called up on the telephone by a dead auntie who insists she pops in for a natter over tea and biscuits .