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“I’ve applied for hundreds of jobs, but I’m not going to start applying to clean offices just yet. I still have some pride.”

“I wouldn’t know how to clean an office. My PA used to run the hoover around once a week.”

“And she no longer does?”

“Let her go a while back.”

“So now you do it all yourself.”

“I don’t do anything.”

And back to silence. This was exhausting. And now we were out of tea.

“Were you made redundant?” I asked.

“What’s with all the questions?”

“It’s called getting to know your neighbour.”

That made him grimace.

“Perhaps we both need someone to talk to.”

“Or perhaps not.” He sounded irritated. “Why wouldn’t you clean offices?”

Good question.

“I’m too much of a snob, I guess. I led my own department and employed a solid team. I think I’m still a pretty decent person, worthy of contributing something more to a role than my excellent hoovering skills.”

“So you do have skills.”

“Making tea and hoovering, yes, when I’m at home. At work…I don’t know. Perhaps I’m punching above my station. I have no degrees. No profession. Just the gift of talking too much.”

“I agree with that. You’re nosy and talkative. Polite, yes. I’d employ you to clean my office.”

There was a small smile there. It felt like sunshine. Like I’d managed to achieve something today.

“Mad skills, my grandson tells me. But I didn’t come here looking for a job. I might volunteer to take your trash out, though, if you need help with that.”

“Nosy and too personal. You should perhaps complimentme on my excellent housekeeping skills instead of insulting my recycling station.”

“Is that what you call it?”

“Yes. What do you call it?”

“Depression,” I said honestly. Usually did the trick.

“Too personal,” he half shouted. “You’ve already asked too many questions.”

“I’ll leave you to it then,” I suggested, getting out of my chair and reaching for the teacup in front of him.

“Don’t,” he said, the panic in his eyes startling me. “Please.”

I felt like the father I was, and he looked like a truant child in need of a stern talking-to.

I shook my head. Sat myself back down.

“I have all the time in the world, but I can’t be of any help here if you don’t talk to me.”