13/08/2022 — Thinking it might have been a nice metaphor for rebuilding his mental health, John purchased some IKEA furniture to construct, bit by bit. Thirty minutes in he booked an emergency therapy session.

12/08/2022 — Like a vampire exposed to sunlight, the ageing librarian hissed and fled the room when any electronic screens were thrust in her face.

11/08/2022 — For the pan that required deglazing with wine, where there was none, Beth glanced at the dispenser of hand-sanitiser and briefly considered it.

10/08/2022 — For the most important meal of the day, Jacko had a durry and a double-espresso.

09/08/2022 — The bananas, bought with best intentions, went from the colour of a sun to the impossible darkness of a black hole in the space of a warm week.

08/08/2022 — The punk band injected fire through the ears and into the throbbing veins of the two mega-fans, the only people at the gig.

07/08/2022 — Jake had finally discovered that poorly-kept secret — that a pedicure/manicure after a laborious stretch of shopping was perhaps the greatest thing in the world.

06/08/2022 — It was her secret pleasure, the way Maria abused the heat lamp in the bathroom after a steaming hot shower.

05/08/2022 — The delivery driver forged his way through the night, peddling laboriously, and was about to arrive at his destination when they cancelled the order on him.