You can use a similar setup with: "Just then, one of the group said '42' and everyone chuckled, apart from person explaining [who probably needs an identity fo

You can use a similar setup with: "Just then, one of the group said '42' and everyone chuckled, apart from person explaining [who probably needs an identity for this variant to work], who doubled up in paroxysms of uncontrollable laughter. After a minute or two, he mastered himself and wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes. The stranger said, "What's the matter? Are you OK?". The other man said, "Yes, sure. It's just that I hadn't heard that one before."