A loving couple whose marriage the State refuses to recognise may be forced to leave the country

THE oversized hinges of the stout oak door grumble as it is wrenched from its resting place. The woman behind the door is grumbling, too.

"Genie - don't be stupid. Come back in," she exclaims, as a tiny creature of indeterminate vintage scampers along the terrazzo hallway, making for the exit but going nowhere fast.

What looks like a ball of grey angora wool eventually manages to unravel itself and settle at my feet, sniffing the ankles for the scent of a canine companion.