1.

On entering her flat that evening, Bryony’s spirits soared. She was home at last, and was looking forward to an evening immersed in social media. What was happening in London? What were her friends up to?

It had been a scorching June day in the capital. The temperature must have gone off the scale. And the smells were amazing.

Fortunately, her first-floor office in Marble Arch had the most superb air-conditioning which had kept them cool all day. And even the tube ride home had been pleasant. The short walk home from the station under the elms had been wonderful.

2.

Bryony immediately threw open the windows, tore off her clothes, and made straight for the shower. She shivered momentarily under the wash of the cool spray, and lifted her face in sheer pleasure. She relaxed.

Moments after drying off, she was sweating once more. Such were the joys of summer! She padded about the flat as naturally as the day she had been born, twenty-five years earlier, fixed herself a drink of lemonade with mountains of ice, and sat by the open window. She gazed absent-mindedly at the world as it rushed by below. All were eager to get home.

3.

Clasping her mobile in one hand, Bryony flicked through the text messages in search of something interesting. There was one from Sarah who was in Ibiza for two weeks of sea, sun and sangria, saying she missed her lots. I bet you do, thought Bryony, when you’ve chucked the latest man out of your apartment! She replied, ‘Have a great time. Love you, Bryony xxx’.

She then checked Facebook and Instagram, but there was nothing there. She put her mobile down on the windowsill, closed her eyes, and savoured the glorious breeze on her hair and cheeks. Now this delivered!

4.

After a while, Bryony felt the urge to move. She jumped up and skipped into the bedroom humming the Rhianna single she had heard in a shop earlier. She found herself some panties and bra, a flimsy top and white shorts, and her favourite open-toed trainers.

Heading back into the tiny living room, she picked up her mobile. And put it down again. She was pleased at the degree of self-control she was able to exert. She would look properly later in the evening. She wondered whether to eat, and decided to make a ham and avocado salad at 7pm.

5.

Bryony opened her laptop onto Netflix to watch a movie, but was sidetracked into watching a magazine programme, a panel talk about the world of fashion, which piqued her interest. An interruption focused her attention.

‘Some news just in. We are hearing that… This is unbelievable… Has this been confirmed?… I apologise for that… It seems, incredibly, that a massive nuclear explosion has utterly devastated the French capital, Paris. Up to eight million dead… Oh, my God! And the same in Berlin, Madrid and Stockholm. The government is exhorting us not to be concerned. We are not in the firing…’

The end.