Every day at about this time our front gate squeaks open and I stop what I’m doing, unsure whether to expect a knock. The screen door clatters open and there is a pause. From wherever I am in the house, I turn to look in the direction of the door. Swoosh. Swoosh. Swoosh. The screen door clatters closed again, and the gate squeaks.

Later, I will go into the front hallway to find the mail, pushed under the door by our overly helpful neighbour.