As I eavesdropped on the conference conversation at the top table I could sense PB’s increasing frustration at the ignorant pronouncements of the American.

‘What’s the main message of your keynote anyway?’ the American drawled.

‘There’s little point in trying to explaining it to you’ replied PB, ‘You wouldn’t understand’.

The American leapt out of his seat, marched over to PB at the other end of the dinner table, and struck him on the head.

I raced over to comfort PB, and announced in my loudest voice that I would  be reporting the assault to the police.