Georgia nods. So many of her lodgers had similar experiences. Unfortunately, she was never able to provide them with a route map back to normality which might have helped them. ‘I know it’s hard.’ She pauses, thoughtful. ‘Let me help you deal with this solicitor of his. I know just the person to speak to.’

Chapter 69

August 2011

Tess looks down at the two years of accounts which have been downloaded and printed out by Georgia, and laid out on the kitchen table. ‘I thought I’d be embarrassed about you seeing all this, but it turns out I’m OK with it.’

‘I didn’t look at what was on the screen.’

‘It wouldn’t have mattered if you had, I don’t have anything to hide.’

Georgia puts a box of giant lime-green paperclips on the table. ‘I bought you these. I thought they might be useful. You do know the library has computers if you need to use one?’ She points to the Ottolenghi book on the dresser. ‘I mean, even their reservations are online. I do miss my old tickets, though. There was always a thrill when I handed them over and got my books stamped by the librarian when I was a child.’ She pulls herself back to the present day.

Tess shrugs. ‘I’ve managed pretty well for the last six months without one.’

‘Yes, but it’s useful. Ordering food for Baxter, for example, instead of me doing it for you. It’s so much easier and quicker online.’

‘I know you’re right.’ Tess studies her fingernails. ‘It’s just become like a big boulder I can’t seem to shift. I suppose I could try using the computers at the library, but if I can manage without having one of my own, I’m fine with that.’

Georgia taps the top of one of the piles of paper. ‘Maybe that’s a plan for another day. All I’m saying is that although you can do your tax return on paper right now, I’m not sure how much longer that’ll be the case. I don’t think any of us will be able to live our lives in a purely analogue fashion in the future, and that time may arrive sooner than we think. I’ve even been thinking of getting rid of the house phone. If mobile calls weren’t so expensive, I would do it in a heartbeat.’

Tess seizes the moment. ‘I need to say something, Georgia. You mentioned that you had trouble with one of your lodgers before, and I just want to tell you again how sorry I am about all this mess. I completely understand if you want me to find somewhere else to live.’

‘Why on earth would you think I want you to do that? We manage alright, the two of us. It just brought back some memories, that’s all.’

Tess waits, as Georgia had waited for her.