Wednesday, March 10

Yesterday the dentist warned me that I needed to protect my gum while it healed and should therefore only eat and drink liquids or smooth foods like custard, soups and yogurt. He also warned me that my head and neck might well hurt for two or three days, as a result of his strenuous tugging.

This morning I breakfasted on yogurt and paracetamol, washed down with papaya juice and water. For lunch I have an ice cream.

I look around the room and imagine how much more I have seen it than in previous years. We have rebuilt it so that it functions properly as a work room. I look at some of the shelves where aesthetics and practicality jostle with each other for attention.

I think of the result as a score draw.