‘Considering what? The state I was in until recently? No, no, don’t object. I know. Well, I don’t, because of course I don’t remember much about it. I do know how brilliant I feel now. I don’t feel like I look.’

‘Perhaps that’s the next thing they’ll do for you. Fix up your face.’

‘John! You’re being horrible.’

‘Sorry, Mum. I think your face is lovely. You were the one complaining.’

‘You sound resentful. Like you begrudge me this – new lease of life.’

‘Mum! Of course I don’t. It’s a bit of a shock, still, that’s all. Is it all down to the nanobots?’

‘Yes, it must be. I feel so healthy—’

‘Could there be side effects?’

‘Yes. None so far though. And I’d put up with a lot to go on feeling like this.’

The tea arrives, brought to us by a man I don’t recognise.

‘Hello. Who are you?’

‘I’m Dave, Mrs—’

‘Mrs Woodruff. And you’re new here?’

‘Yes, I started last week.’

‘Not a Helper though. I specifically asked – Helpers simply can’t make tea.’

Dave laughs. ‘No? I thought they could do anything. It’s good to know we still have a place. I did wonder why they employ humans in the kitchen. I mean, when I applied to work here, I didn’t expect to get a job at all.’

‘Aren’t you lucky then? Is it nice in the kitchen?’

‘It’s all right.’

‘Well, I’m pleased to meet you, Dave.’

‘And you, Mrs Woodruff. I hope I’ll see a lot more of you.’

He turns and leaves. John and I watch him go.

‘He’s different,’ says John.

‘Older than the rest, for a start. He must be over 30. I wonder what he’s doing in a low-level job like working in the kitchen. He sounds educated.’

‘It’s the beginning, Mum. Of the end.’

‘What on earth are you talking about?’

‘You wait. Soon there won’t be any decent jobs for humans. We’ll all be serving tea. Until the tea-making robot is perfected.’

‘What nonsense. Are you worried about your job?’

‘Charlotte said something like that too the other day – and up until then, no, I wasn’t. Now I wonder. I mean, I like to think the human touch is important in sales.’

I stop myself from saying, ‘More important than in care of the elderly?’ But John gets there, and blushes.

‘I mean – it’s—’

‘Never mind. I expect we’ll find a lot of things they can’t do soon enough. They are amazing, but we mustn’t forget, they’re machines, and made by people.’

‘Yes, I suppose so. Anyway, what about you?’

‘What about me?’

‘Are you OK?’

‘We’ve been talking about that, haven’t we?’