– I am so happy to see you, Mr Udnam! My ma speaks so highly of you – she said your charity helped us out so much. Do you remember visiting North Fort Street? You came after those fires. Spent lots of money. The community was so grateful. My ma said a man like yourself changes the world only fir the better, Mr Udnam. I need your help, to be honest.

– You all know who I am!

Mr Udnam strains to call it out over her shoulder as the entire party holds their breath.

– I am an upstanding member of the community and a CHRISTIAN!

– I can see that, Mr Udnam, truly!

– I won’t have sin in my building!

– No.

– I do remember your ma. What’s a nice girl like you even doing here, Flora?

– I know, it’s just, I have had such a terrible time, trying to – better myself. I try to pray, properly, across the road, at St Giles’ but I just can’t quite get the words right. Would you, help me open my heart to Jesus?

– Yes…

He seems uncertain.

Flora grabs the first fur-lined coat she can find.

– You want to go now?

– I fear, Mr Udnam, that the absolution of ma spirit – depends on it.

Everyone in the room is covering their mouth trying not to laugh. Arts types are so useless. How many of them have had to act because their actual life depended on it? Fucking wankers. That’s what they are. Every last one. Flora closes the door firmly. Steps out into the cold echoey stair. Mr Udnam glares into her then. His eyes are rheumy. She feels colder by the minute. He turns and walks downstairs slowly. Flora follows him in silence.

1939

Flat 3F3

Levi (32) the four horsemen of the apocalypse

WELL, DEAR brother – if my workplace hasn’t gotten stranger! They load animals in the back courtyard and I work to the sound of chickens, dogs barking, cats, elephants, zebras, odd birds, even the odd bear going down the hallway. There is blossom on the Meadows in pink and it flutters across the paths – it’s so pretty, students go there to sit in the summer and I am told it is a graveyard for plague victims.