I spent a morning with AB and WB “working at home” at their Edinburgh flat. RL was also a day-time regular at the B residence thanks to generous time off in lieu arrangements that he had negotiated with his gullible boss. His practice was to arrive mid-morning just as the red wine was served.

AB and WB conducted all their business transactions with Indians in an identical flat to theirs, two doors down the road. There I was introduced to a man with the softest hands. I wondered what kind of work he did. When he explained that he was a professional Braille reader I was embarrassed that I hadn’t already noticed that he was blind.

During her lunch break SL came to visit us all. I was surprised that she wanted to spend the whole hour talking about body hair. She was particularly interested in my legs. I looked down and saw what she meant. Beneath the knee I appeared to have grown a winter plumage worthy of an Irish Setter.