Although they didn’t talk much now, they still tried to explain themselves to each other through these long conversations. Writing their own mythology, trying to find their place. Making it as dull as possible, so they could move around undercover. It was no big deal – they were exactly like how people had two kidneys. Nothing to see here. These conversations helped them when they had to be out amongst it – they were like coaching sessions. Sometimes one of them would panic and the other could say, ‘Two kidneys,’ and they could keep walking down the street, or get on the bus. They were happier in the blind spot. ‘Where’s the milk?’ Domestic blindness. They imagined all of them did it. Heidi was doing it. Working out the rules, looking for clues. She talked to them about it sometimes, but it felt more like she was laying bait – seeing if they’d say something useful. No one had shared anything useful except with themselves – there was no website with useful tips and tricks. It was almost like they were competing with one another. All of them trying to solve the puzzle first.

‘What are you up to for the weekend?’ asked Donna.

They both shrugged. ‘Not sure,’ said Greta.

‘You?’ asked Peggy.

‘Um.’ Donna looked up at the sky a bit like she was acting at remembering. ‘Going out,’ she said, and scrunched her nose up.

‘Cool,’ said Peggy.

‘We might go out,’ Greta said almost at the same time.

‘Movies,’ Donna said, and they all nodded. The movies was a good idea.

‘How was work?’ Greta asked.

‘Okay,’ Donna said. ‘People were angry.’ She shrugged, to punctuate.

‘People are angry.’ Peggy was still holding the Pump bottle, but it was empty now so she was throwing it up and down. Spinning it a bit in the air then catching it.

‘They certainly don’t like the internets,’ Donna said, and they all laughed.

‘I’m not sure most of them know what to do with it,’ Peggy said, and they all nodded and shook their heads.

‘But they’ve got to have it,’ Greta said.

‘Now,’ Donna said.

‘Do you want salad?’ Duncan shouted from the barbecue. ‘You should get some now before they eat it all.’