‘SORRY FOR SHOUTING AT YOU,’ she continued, shouting at him. She could feel Jack watching her, and Ben and Alexa scrambling to their feet behind them. ‘IT’S JUST THAT WE’RE LOCKED IN THIS ATTIC AND ALSO THE KITCHEN IS FLOODING.’ She took a deep breath to recover and arranged her face into what she hoped was a non-threatening smile that still emphasized the urgency of their situation.

Though perhaps she should have taken things a little slower: kitchen and attic in the same sentence was quite a bombshell, and the man looked hesitant. In spite of everything, Ellen felt vindicated. This was an unlikely plan: obviously, people didn’t want to be bogged down in other people’s business.

Ben and Alexa had joined them in the window frame now, Alexa virtually standing on Ellen’s foot in her eagerness to catch a glimpse of their neighbour. He was still staring up at them. The housemates held their breath.

But then – joy! – the man picked up his toddler, glanced both ways across the street, and crossed the road towards them. Midway across the road, the toddler dropped the tricycle and the man stooped to pick it up.

Ellen turned to Alexa, who raised her eyebrows in encouragement.

The man made it to the pavement at the end of the path leading up to their front door, and shouted up to them, still squinting into the sun.

‘SORRY, CAN YOU REPEAT THAT?’ he called.

Now he was closer to them, she swore she could make out his designer stubble. The toddler was wriggling in his arms. Alexa was jostling at Ellen’s shoulder now and, without needing to be asked, Jack stepped back in order to let Alexa take his place nearer the window.

‘HELLO!’ Alexa took over. ‘SORRY TO HAVE BOTHERED YOU.’ Her voice was more self-contained than Ellen’s, though it appeared to be travelling.

The man was still looking up at them, frowning a little.

‘IT’S JUST THAT WE’VE MANAGED TO GET STUCK IN OUR ATTIC. THE HANDLE FELL OFF THE DOOR,’ Alexa continued.

‘AND THE KITCHEN IS ALSO FLOODING – SORRY – WHICH IS VERY BAD LUCK.’ Ellen felt it was important to emphasize the kitchen situation too.

‘OH DEAR …’ the man replied slowly, after a moment’s hesitation. He sounded a little overwhelmed. ‘OK.’

He didn’t say anything else.

‘WE WERE WONDERING IF BY ANY CHANCE YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO CALL A LOCKSMITH FOR US?’ Alexa looked anxious. ‘WHO MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET INTO THE HOUSE AND THEN GET US OUT OF HERE.’

‘THEN WE CAN SORT THE WATER OURSELVES,’ Ellen shouted. She realized she was shouting very slowly, as if trying to make herself understood in a foreign country. ‘WE MADE A SIGN,’ she added, stupidly, waggling the cord.