Next to him is Dr Angela Morton, who is quite terrifying, and icily beautiful. I can’t tell her age. She doesn’t smile much at all, but fixes them with her chilling eyes. I bet all the men desire her and are shrivelled by her, all at the same time. Something about her reminds me of Winifred, too, which I suppose is to be expected, since Dr Morton invented the Helpers. She must have put a little bit of herself in each one.

Mr Jordan shows them pictures of the nanobots. For the first time, I can see what they look like. It’s disconcerting. I feel a little alarmed at having these mechanical creatures scurrying around inside me. But still, they do a great deal of good. I stop looking.

Now he’s telling them about the way we were before Eldercare and the Helpers and the nanobots took over. He shows a short film of the residents. I don’t look at this either. It’s embarrassing.

He’s scathing about the way society treats old people. I must say, I’m warming to him.

‘And now,’ he says, ‘here’s one of those residents. Mrs Margaret Woodruff.’

They all start clapping, and stand up to see me better.

‘Ladies and gentlemen, may I ask you to sit down, please? Then I will talk to you.’

I fix them with a firm gaze, and they sit. The old skills haven’t deserted me.

‘That’s better. Now, I’m eighty-seven years old. I’ve been in an Eldercare home for two and a half years. I was one of the people you saw in the film. My husband died, and after a while, my children thought I would be better off moving out of my home and into care. I have nothing to say about this decision. I can barely remember it. And after I moved, most of what followed is a blank. A vague dream. I descended into darkness, like most old people. I was lost, and going to my death, I assume, my mind preceding my body.

‘Look at me now. I am alive again. My body is functioning properly. And my mind is as sharp as ever. I have been restored to health, and happiness – comparatively so. I miss my husband. I miss my own home. But I am in every way much better than I was, and infinitely better than most people of my age. Everything Mr Jordan said about old age applied to me. And like him, I don’t fancy it much. The difference is, I’ve been there, and I’ve come out of it. Thanks to Winifred, and her colleagues, the nanobots. And thanks to these people, who I’ve met for the first time today. Mr Jordan and Dr Morton. I am very grateful to you both.’

I look at the pair of them. They’re smiling, and delighted with everything.