Replace problem (sugracube 2.11.0)

I'm trying to construct a passage where the player can 'take' a couple of items. (I don't use a physical inventory system as such - I just check for variables instead).

For this I'm trying to use the replace macro so that the sentence:

A filthy narrow bed lies unmade against one wall. On the other a small table on which there's half a loaf of stale bread and a knife.

Becomes:

A filthy narrow bed lies unmade against one wall. On the other a small table on which there's a knife.

When the 'bread' link is clicked.
And:

A filthy narrow bed lies unmade against one wall. On the other a small table lies empty.

When the knife is taken.

I could do this by giving each its own passage, but I'd like to do it with replace if possible, but I can't get my head around the logic of it all.