1. Throughout the day I conduct my chores listening to a harshly whispered story.

2. Just as we’re stepping out the door, R and M teach the end of their street. We wave hello and walk together for the third time in four days. Lily does very much like M – or at least his indifference towards her.

2b. We talk of bad Shakespearean performers and I tell R about a drama exercise I ran a few years ago: to encourage teamwork and vocal projection through speaking song lyrics in a certain style as a group. I tell him about the side-splittingly hammy rendition of Agadoo and the strident politicians performing Grease medleys. We perform our own versions while walking around the woods, wondering what on earth other dogwalkers in earshot must be thinking.

3. The yarn is silky and light (even though it’s just cotton) and the pattern pleasantly repetitive. I’ll have to frog it – the foundation chain is too tight – but I don’t mind.