The tiny flies and the smell in the fridge remained, even though he had binned the half-used and the out of date.
 He cleaned the fridge with soapy water, dried it, and replaced the perishables.
 Later, he returned to find the smell still lingering. He had no choice but to accept defeat and welcome this new addition to his home, along with the rats in the wall cavity and the mouldy stench that hung out in the washing machine.
He sat on his back door step, watching the birds flitter from branch to fence, and joined them in peaceful spirit.