A new beginning or the day that changed everything.The new lodger materialized in our kitchen as our mother was leaving for an appointment. Neither my sister nor I heard the lift on the landing which was unusual as the Caged Lift normally gave us plenty of warning if we were about to be inspected by any form of interloper. Yet the lift must have been as surprised as we were by a visitor who looked as if she might float away if not for the anchoring weight of her black music case.Mother pretended to be regretful that she was leaving as the lodger arrived and introduced us as the twins, forgetting to give us individual names and putting heavy emphasis on the word ‘homework’ which we took as a hint to behave.(My sister and I suspected this performance was yet another charade of busyness designed to distract us from the possibility that Frank- code name ‘Franco’ was back in Mum’s life).We were not amused.‘Here is our saviour’ said Mother smiling brightly with her hand on the door. ‘Terry Smith. She’s staying for a month in the Tower. ‘
