Lyn is coming tonight. She’ll be here quite soon – well, in 85 minutes. Whenever I’m expecting anyone, be it Lyn, Charlie, my parents, I always feel uneasy. It’s a sort of restlessness of anticipation, tinged with concern. Will she get here ok? What will we do for tea? Have I bought her enough presents. Well, on this last count, I know I haven’t, because I was prevented from getting on the bus to go shopping yesterday. Lyn said she understood, but it’s still bloody annoying.

Well, this evening should be fun. We are going to the pub with Ricardio; I need to find out what’s happening with roadwork. Then we come home, then…[trails off in weird spastic chuckles; Esther looks bemused] Make that 70 minutes