Even if there hadn't been liquor there to dull the reflexes (rather like a vindictive doctor filing down a needle until it was as sharp as a ballpoint pen), the hug ended too quickly for Barnaby to flinch and reel away from it.

Still, flinch he did, and that, in conjunction with being off-balance from being sat on how did that happen and said liquor, resulted in what those in comedic circles refer to as a pratfall.

There was a crash and a clatter as the stool upturned, and Barnaby found himself looking up at the ceiling with a bump on his head and a feeling of deja vu.

"Ow."