I_PNP went_VVD upstairs_AV0 in_PRP my_DPS mother_NN1 's_POS house_NN1 ,_PUN telling_VVG her_PNP I_PNP was_VBD going_VVG to_PRP the_AT0 bathroom_NN1 ._SENT There_EX0 was_VBD a_AT0 downstairs_NN1 toilet_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC it_PNP had_VHD a_AT0 raised_AJ0 seat_NN1 and_CJC a_AT0 frame_NN1 with_PRP armrests_NN2 so_AV0 that_CJT she_PNP could_VM0 easily_AV0 maneuver_VVB herself_PNX on_AVP and_CJC off_AVP after_PRP her_DPS hip_NN1 replacement_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP was_VBD squeamish_AJ0 about_PRP it_PNP ._SENT I_PNP could_VM0 n't_XX0 help_VVI feeling_VVG irrationally_AV0 that_CJT if_CJS I_PNP used_VVD it_PNP I_PNP 'd_VM0 be_VBI contaminated_VVN with_PRP something_PNI :_PUN with_PRP suffering_NN1 ,_PUN with_PRP old_AJ0 age_NN1 ._SENT And_CJC anyway_AV0 I_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 really_AV0 need_VVI to_TO0 use_VVI the_AT0 bathroom_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP went_VVD into_PRP the_AT0 one_CRD upstairs_NN1 that_CJT was_VBD free_AJ0 of_PRF any_DT0 apparatus_NN1 ,_PUN closed_VVD the_AT0 door_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC sat_VVD on_PRP the_AT0 toilet-seat_NN1 lid_NN1 ,_PUN then_AV0 pressed_VVD the_AT0 flush_NN1 so_AV0 that_CJT she_PNP could_VM0 hear_VVI it_PNP ._SENT The_AT0 truth_NN1 was_VBD that_CJT every_AT0 so_AV0 often_AV0 I_PNP just_AV0 needed_VVD to_TO0 be_VBI alone_AJ0 for_PRP a_AT0 few_DT0 minutes_NN2 ,_PUN not_XX0 making_VVG any_DT0 effort_NN1 ,_PUN or_CJC being_VBG filled_VVN up_AVP with_PRP anyone_PNI else_AV0 's_POS idea_NN1 of_PRF what_DTQ I_PNP was_VBD ._SENT 
Do_VDB n't_XX0 get_VVI me_PNP wrong_AJ0 ._SENT First_ORD of_PRF all_DT0 ,_PUN my_DPS mother_NN1 was_VBD n't_XX0 really_AV0 suffering_VVG ;_PUN she_PNP was_VBD getting_VVG along_AVP pretty_AV0 well_AV0 for_PRP ninety-two_CRD ._SENT She_PNP had_VHD magical_AJ0 powers_NN2 ,_PUN I_PNP sometimes_AV0 thought_VVD ,_PUN of_PRF resilience_NN1 and_CJC brightness_NN1 ._SENT And_CJC I_PNP was_VBD glad_AJ0 to_TO0 be_VBI with_PRP her_PNP during_PRP that_DT0 time_NN1 when_CJS we_PNP were_VBD all_AV0 locked_VVN down_AVP ,_PUN month_NN1 after_PRP month_NN1 ,_PUN because_CJS of_PRF the_AT0 coronavirus_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP could_VM0 n't_XX0 have_VHI been_VBN happy_AJ0 living_VVG away_AV0 from_PRP her_PNP ,_PUN worrying_VVG about_PRP how_AVQ she_PNP was_VBD managing_VVG by_PRP herself_PNX ,_PUN knowing_VVG that_CJT she_PNP must_VM0 be_VBI lonely_AJ0 ._SENT She_PNP had_VHD friends_NN2 who_PNQ would_VM0 shop_VVI for_PRP her_PNP ,_PUN plus_PRP a_AT0 cleaner_NN1 and_CJC someone_PNI to_TO0 keep_VVI the_AT0 garden_NN1 tidy_AJ0 —_PUN and_CJC these_DT0 people_NN0 were_VBD her_DPS friends_NN2 ,_PUN too_AV0 ,_PUN although_CJS she_PNP paid_VVD them_PNP ._SENT But_CJC she_PNP was_VBD naturally_AV0 sociable_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC longed_VVD for_PRP company_NN1 —_PUN any_DT0 company_NN1 ,_PUN even_AV0 mine_PNP ._SENT We_PNP had_VHD both_AV0 lost_VVN our_DPS men_NN2 ,_PUN hers_PNP to_PRP death_NN1 ,_PUN three_CRD years_NN2 earlier_AV0 —_PUN her_DPS third_ORD husband_NN1 ,_PUN Dickie_NP0 ,_PUN not_XX0 my_DPS father_NN1 ,_PUN who_PNQ was_VBD her_DPS first_ORD and_CJC had_VHD died_VVN long_AV0 before_AV0 —_PUN and_CJC mine_PNP to_TO0 divorce_VVI ,_PUN at_PRP about_AV0 the_AT0 same_DT0 time_NN1 ._SENT We_PNP grieved_VVD for_PRP them_PNP ,_PUN but_CJC it_PNP was_VBD restful_AJ0 without_PRP them_PNP ,_PUN without_PRP the_AT0 performance_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 competition_NN1 that_CJT they_PNP inspired_VVD ._SENT My_DPS mother_NN1 was_VBD old-fashioned_AJ0 in_PRP that_DT0 way_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 man_NN1 's_POS woman_NN1 ._SENT She_PNP used_VVD to_TO0 flirt_VVI even_AV0 with_PRP my_DPS husband_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP 'll_VM0 have_VHI to_TO0 call_VVI her_DPS Margot_NP0 ._SENT I_PNP ca_VM0 n't_XX0 just_AV0 go_VVI on_PRP calling_VVG her_PNP my_DPS mother_NN1 ,_PUN as_CJS if_CJS that_DT0 were_VBD all_DT0 she_PNP was_VBD ._SENT 
Treading_VVG quietly_AV0 in_PRP my_DPS stocking_NN1 feet_NN2 ,_PUN I_PNP went_VVD into_PRP the_AT0 spare_AJ0 bedroom_NN1 ,_PUN at_PRP the_AT0 front_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 house_NN1 ,_PUN overlooking_VVG the_AT0 street_NN1 ._SENT This_DT0 was_VBD n't_XX0 where_CJS I_PNP slept_VVD —_PUN I_PNP preferred_VVD the_AT0 couch_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 dark_AJ0 little_AJ0 den_NN1 behind_PRP it_PNP ,_PUN which_DTQ had_VHD shelves_NN2 with_PRP a_AT0 few_DT0 books_NN2 on_PRP them_PNP and_CJC was_VBD supposed_AJ0 to_TO0 have_VHI been_VBN Dickie_NP0 's_POS study_NN1 ,_PUN though_CJS I_PNP do_VDB n't_XX0 know_VVI what_DTQ studying_VVG he_PNP ever_AV0 did_VDD ._SENT Studied_VVN the_AT0 bottom_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 wineglass_NN1 ,_PUN perhaps_AV0 ._SENT He_PNP 'd_VM0 set_VVI up_AVP their_DPS BT_NP0 hub_NN1 and_CJC computer_NN1 in_PRP there_AV0 ,_PUN although_CJS the_AT0 height_NN1 of_PRF his_DPS achievement_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 Internet_NN1 ,_PUN as_CJS far_AV0 as_CJS I_PNP could_VM0 tell_VVI ,_PUN was_VBD forwarding_VVG comical_AJ0 YouTube_NN1 videos_NN2 ._SENT My_DPS mother_NN1 disdained_VVD the_AT0 new_AJ0 technology_NN1 and_CJC still_AV0 wrote_VVD her_DPS letters_NN2 in_PRP elegant_AJ0 longhand_NN1 ,_PUN at_PRP a_AT0 small_AJ0 desk_NN1 downstairs_AV0 that_CJT she_PNP called_VVD her_DPS "_PUQ bureau_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ My_DPS mother_NN1 ,_PUN Margot_NP0 ._SENT You_PNP 'd_VM0 have_VHI thought_VVN she_PNP 'd_VHD been_VBN brought_VVN up_AVP in_PRP the_AT0 leisured_AJ0 classes_NN2 ,_PUN drinking_VVG tea_NN1 out_AVP of_PRF fine_AJ0 china_NN1 ._SENT You_PNP 'd_VM0 never_AV0 have_VHI guessed_VVN that_CJT her_DPS parents_NN2 were_VBD a_AT0 factory_NN1 worker_NN1 and_CJC a_AT0 cleaner_NN1 ._SENT Not_XX0 that_CJT she_PNP was_VBD in_PRP denial_NN1 of_PRF her_DPS past_NN1 ,_PUN or_CJC not_XX0 exactly_AV0 ;_PUN she_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 pretend_VVI to_TO0 be_VBI anything_PNI she_PNP was_VBD n't_XX0 ._SENT When_CJS she_PNP told_VVD the_AT0 old_AJ0 stories_NN2 of_PRF her_DPS childhood_NN1 in_PRP Liverpool_NP0 ,_PUN her_DPS eyes_NN2 filled_VVD up_AVP with_PRP genuine_AJ0 tears_NN2 of_PRF remembrance_NN1 and_CJC nostalgia_NN1 :_PUN she_PNP was_VBD quite_AV0 lovely_AJ0 then_AV0 ._SENT She_PNP had_VHD made_VVN a_AT0 whole_AJ0 life_NN1 out_AVP of_PRF being_VBG lovely_AJ0 ,_PUN even_AV0 if_CJS she_PNP always_AV0 disparaged_VVD her_DPS looks_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP know_VVB what_DTQ classic_AJ0 beauty_NN1 is_VBZ ,_PUN darling_NN1 ._SENT All_DT0 I_PNP have_VHB is_VBZ personality_NN1 ._SENT In_PRP the_AT0 fifties_CRD ,_PUN before_CJS she_PNP married_VVD ,_PUN she_PNP had_VHD worked_VVN modelling_NN1 clothes_NN2 —_PUN and_CJC was_VBD even_AV0 in_PRP a_AT0 couple_NN1 of_PRF films_NN2 ,_PUN although_CJS she_PNP could_VM0 n't_XX0 act_VVI ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 shame_NN1 that_CJT in_PRP my_DPS looks_NN2 I_PNP took_VVD after_PRP my_DPS father_NN1 ,_PUN who_PNQ was_VBD a_AT0 producer_NN1 on_PRP one_CRD of_PRF those_DT0 films_NN2 ._SENT 
Tessa_NP0 Hadley_NP0 on_PRP longing_VVG amid_PRP lockdown_NN1 ._SENT 
This_DT0 spare_AJ0 bedroom_NN1 was_VBD a_AT0 secret_AJ0 space_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 nothingness_NN1 :_PUN freedom_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 radiator_NN1 was_VBD turned_VVN off_AVP in_PRP there_AV0 and_CJC the_AT0 door_NN1 was_VBD kept_VVN shut_AJ0 ;_PUN its_DPS chill_NN1 was_VBD a_AT0 relief_NN1 from_PRP the_AT0 dry_AJ0 heat_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 rest_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 house_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP do_VDB n't_XX0 think_VVI anyone_PNI had_VHD ever_AV0 slept_VVN in_PRP its_DPS double_AJ0 bed_NN1 ._SENT Cardboard_AJ0 boxes_NN2 ,_PUN piled_VVD up_AVP on_PRP the_AT0 carpet_NN1 and_CJC on_PRP the_AT0 bare_AJ0 mattress_NN1 ,_PUN were_VBD filled_VVN with_PRP pairs_NN2 of_PRF shoes_NN2 and_CJC empty_AJ0 coat_NN1 hangers_NN2 ,_PUN jazz_NN1 vinyl_NN1 from_PRP the_AT0 sixties_CRD and_CJC seventies_CRD ,_PUN unwanted_AJ0 gifts_NN2 of_PRF hand_NN1 lotion_NN1 and_CJC scented_AJ0 candles_NN2 ,_PUN still_AV0 wrapped_VVN in_PRP dusty_AJ0 cellophane_NN1 ._SENT Files_NN2 bulged_VVD with_PRP papers_NN2 from_PRP the_AT0 little_AJ0 business_NN1 Dickie_NP0 had_VHD had_VHN importing_AJ0 wine_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ never_AV0 made_VVD any_DT0 money_NN1 ,_PUN perhaps_AV0 because_CJS he_PNP drank_VVD so_AV0 much_DT0 of_PRF it_PNP ;_PUN there_EX0 were_VBD more_DT0 boxes_NN2 of_PRF these_DT0 papers_NN2 in_PRP the_AT0 garage_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC his_DPS children_NN2 had_VHD been_VBN promising_AJ0 to_TO0 sort_VVI them_PNP out_AVP ,_PUN until_CJS lockdown_NN1 gave_VVD them_PNP an_AT0 excuse_NN1 for_PRP not_XX0 coming_VVG to_TO0 do_VDI it_PNP ._SENT The_AT0 wardrobes_NN2 were_VBD full_AJ0 with_PRP the_AT0 overspill_NN1 of_PRF Margot_NP0 's_POS clothes_NN2 ,_PUN coats_NN2 and_CJC dresses_NN2 swathed_VVN in_PRP plastic_NN1 ,_PUN as_CJS they_PNP 'd_VHD come_VVN from_PRP the_AT0 dry_AJ0 cleaner_NN1 ._SENT 
She_PNP 'd_VHD moved_VVN to_PRP this_DT0 unfashionable_AJ0 seaside_NN1 town_NN1 ten_CRD years_NN2 ago_AV0 ,_PUN when_CJS she_PNP was_VBD already_AV0 in_PRP her_DPS eighties_CRD and_CJC Dickie_NP0 was_VBD older_AJC ._SENT Of_PRF all_DT0 the_AT0 places_NN2 for_PRP her_PNP to_TO0 end_VVI up_AVP ,_PUN this_DT0 might_VM0 have_VHI seemed_VVN the_AT0 most_AV0 improbable_AJ0 ,_PUN considering_VVG where_AVQ she_PNP 'd_VHD lived_VVN in_PRP her_DPS long_AJ0 lifetime_NN1 :_PUN Cap_NN1 Ferrat_NN1 ,_PUN Manhattan_NP0 ,_PUN the_AT0 Bahamas_NP0 ,_PUN Rome_NP0 ._SENT For_PRP a_AT0 while_NN1 ,_PUN with_PRP her_DPS second_ORD husband_NN1 —_PUN "_PUQ the_AT0 boring_AJ0 banker_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ she_PNP called_VVD him_PNP now_AV0 —_PUN she_PNP had_VHD moved_VVN between_PRP a_AT0 house_NN1 in_PRP Chelsea_NP0 and_CJC an_AT0 oversized_AJ0 villa_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 woods_NN2 in_PRP Deeside_NP0 ,_PUN sunk_VVN in_PRP a_AT0 tidal_AJ0 wave_NN1 of_PRF rhododendrons_NN2 ._SENT But_CJC she_PNP 'd_VM0 run_VVI out_AVP of_PRF money_NN1 years_NN2 ago_AV0 :_PUN the_AT0 boring_AJ0 banker_NN1 turned_VVD out_AVP to_TO0 be_VBI vengeful_AJ0 when_CJS it_PNP came_VVD to_TO0 divorce_VVI ,_PUN and_CJC whatever_DTQ was_VBD left_VVN Dickie_NP0 had_VHD invested_VVN in_PRP his_DPS business_NN1 ._SENT So_AV0 they_PNP 'd_VHD found_VVN themselves_PNX here_AV0 in_PRP Cherry_NP0 Tree_NN1 Lodge_NN1 ,_PUN in_PRP these_DT0 rooms_NN2 crowded_VVN with_PRP too_AV0 much_DT0 furniture_NN1 that_CJT belonged_VVD somewhere_AV0 bigger_AJC and_CJC showier_AJC ,_PUN tucked_VVD in_AVP among_PRP neighbors_NN2 offering_VVG bed-and-breakfast_AJ0 ,_PUN in_PRP a_AT0 dull_AJ0 terraced_AJ0 street_NN1 of_PRF modestly_AV0 sized_AJ0 conforming_AJ0 houses_NN2 ,_PUN faced_VVN in_PRP frigid_AJ0 gray_AJ0 stone_NN1 ,_PUN without_PRP even_AV0 a_AT0 view_NN1 of_PRF what_DTQ was_VBD n't_XX0 actually_AV0 the_AT0 sea_NN1 in_PRP any_DT0 case_NN1 but_CJC only_AV0 the_AT0 silt-brown_AJ0 Bristol_NP0 Channel_NN1 ,_PUN between_PRP England_NP0 and_CJC Wales_NP0 ._SENT 
Dickie_NP0 hated_VVD it_PNP and_CJC felt_VVD it_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 comedown_NN1 ._SENT But_CJC Margot_NP0 did_VDD n't_XX0 mind_VVI it_PNP ,_PUN really_AV0 ._SENT Who_PNQ wanted_VVD to_TO0 be_VBI an_AT0 old_AJ0 woman_NN1 in_PRP a_AT0 fashionable_AJ0 place_NN1 ?_SENT It_PNP was_VBD better_AJC to_TO0 exert_VVI her_DPS fascination_NN1 here_AV0 ,_PUN where_CJS nobody_PNI else_AV0 was_VBD like_PRP her_PNP ._SENT And_CJC ,_PUN anyway_AV0 ,_PUN she_PNP knew_VVD what_DTQ I_PNP knew_VVD ,_PUN from_PRP growing_VVG up_AVP in_PRP Cap_NN1 Ferrat_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 Bahamas_NP0 and_CJC the_AT0 rest_NN1 :_PUN every_AT0 place_NN1 ,_PUN even_AV0 if_CJS it_PNP 's_VBZ not_XX0 at_PRP all_DT0 glamorous_AJ0 ,_PUN has_VHZ its_DPS own_DT0 secrets_NN2 and_CJC seductions_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 most_AV0 glamorous_AJ0 places_NN2 may_VM0 be_VBI the_AT0 least_AV0 secretive_AJ0 ,_PUN the_AT0 most_AV0 blank_AJ0 ._SENT And_CJC ,_PUN incidentally_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP 'm_VBB exaggerating_VVG the_AT0 privations_NN2 in_PRP Margot_NP0 's_POS past_NN1 ._SENT Her_DPS parents_NN2 were_VBD n't_XX0 really_AV0 very_AV0 poor_AJ0 ,_PUN or_CJC at_PRP least_AV0 not_XX0 for_PRP long_AV0 ._SENT Her_DPS father_NN1 had_VHD a_AT0 good_AJ0 job_NN1 at_PRP a_AT0 factory_NN1 that_CJT made_VVD precision_NN1 tools_NN2 for_PRP aeronautics_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC her_DPS mother_NN1 was_VBD only_AV0 a_AT0 cleaner_NN1 for_PRP a_AT0 while_NN1 ,_PUN when_CJS she_PNP was_VBD first_ORD married_VVN and_CJC before_CJS she_PNP had_VHD Margot_NP0 —_PUN who_PNQ was_VBD christened_VVN Margaret_NP0 but_CJC did_VDD n't_XX0 like_VVI it_PNP ._SENT When_CJS I_PNP knew_VVD my_DPS grandmother_NN1 ,_PUN in_PRP her_DPS middle_AJ0 age_NN1 ,_PUN she_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 stout_AJ0 ,_PUN short_AJ0 ,_PUN tidy_AJ0 ,_PUN wary_AJ0 person_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 manager_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 Liverpool_NP0 branch_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Wool_NN1 Shop_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ was_VBD the_AT0 place_NN1 where_AVQ I_PNP was_VBD most_AV0 happy_AJ0 as_CJS a_AT0 child_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 sheer_AJ0 multiplicity_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 fresh_AJ0 new_AJ0 balls_NN2 of_PRF wool_NN1 gave_VVD me_PNP a_AT0 frisson_NN1 that_CJT was_VBD decidedly_AV0 sensual_AJ0 :_PUN all_AV0 arranged_VVN in_PRP their_DPS ordered_AJ0 gradations_NN2 of_PRF color_NN1 and_CJC type_NN1 ,_PUN with_PRP that_DT0 pristine_AJ0 stuffy_AJ0 smell_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 pattern_NN1 books_NN2 holding_VVG out_AVP their_DPS promise_NN1 ._SENT Later_AV0 ,_PUN when_CJS I_PNP was_VBD pregnant_AJ0 with_PRP my_DPS son_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP knitted_VVD tiny_AJ0 vests_NN2 and_CJC cardigans_NN2 on_PRP fine_AJ0 needles_NN2 ,_PUN in_PRP two-ply_AJ0 cream_NN1 pure_AJ0 wool_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ fastened_VVD in_PRP front_NN1 with_PRP baby_NN1 ribbon_NN1 ties_NN2 or_CJC teeny_AJ0 mother-of-pearl_NN1 buttons_NN2 ._SENT These_DT0 things_NN2 turned_VVD out_AVP to_TO0 be_VBI useless_AJ0 once_CJS I_PNP had_VHD the_AT0 actual_AJ0 baby_NN1 ._SENT They_PNP had_VHD to_TO0 be_VBI washed_VVN by_PRP hand_NN1 every_AT0 time_NN1 he_PNP sicked_VVD up_AVP on_PRP them_PNP ;_PUN then_AV0 he_PNP developed_VVD eczema_NN1 and_CJC could_VM0 n't_XX0 wear_VVI wool_NN1 anyway_AV0 ._SENT 
The_AT0 front_AJ0 window_NN1 in_PRP that_DT0 spare_AJ0 room_NN1 looked_VVD out_AVP into_PRP the_AT0 branches_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 cherry_NN1 tree_NN1 that_CJT grew_VVD in_PRP the_AT0 narrow_AJ0 gravelled_AJ0 strip_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 front_AJ0 garden_NN1 and_CJC gave_VVD its_DPS name_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 house_NN1 ._SENT In_PRP the_AT0 spring_NN1 ,_PUN when_CJS lockdown_NN1 was_VBD new_AJ0 and_CJC the_AT0 weather_NN1 ,_PUN in_PRP consolation_NN1 or_CJC mockery_NN1 ,_PUN was_VBD so_AV0 uncannily_AV0 beautiful_AJ0 week_NN1 after_PRP week_NN1 ,_PUN this_DT0 tree_NN1 had_VHD blazed_VVN with_PRP its_DPS great_AJ0 burden_NN1 of_PRF blossom_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 white_AJ0 flowers_NN2 '_POS crimson_AJ0 hearts_NN2 leaking_VVG pink_AJ0 stain_NN1 into_PRP the_AT0 frail_AJ0 material_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 petals_NN2 —_PUN an_AT0 incongruous_AJ0 poem_NN1 in_PRP a_AT0 prosaic_AJ0 street_NN1 ._SENT But_CJC now_AV0 the_AT0 branches_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 tree_NN1 were_VBD bare_AJ0 ,_PUN the_AT0 weather_NN1 was_VBD wintry_AJ0 ,_PUN we_PNP were_VBD back_AVP in_PRP lockdown_NN1 ;_PUN when_CJS I_PNP stood_VVD at_PRP the_AT0 window_NN1 I_PNP felt_VVD a_AT0 warning_NN1 chill_NN1 coming_VVG off_AVP the_AT0 glass_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD three_CRD o'clock_AV0 on_PRP a_AT0 November_NP0 afternoon_NN1 and_CJC I_PNP had_VHD n't_XX0 turned_VVN on_PRP the_AT0 light_NN1 ._SENT Already_AV0 the_AT0 air_NN1 outside_AV0 seemed_VVD blue_AJ0 with_PRP evening_NN1 ;_PUN the_AT0 wilted_AJ0 shrubs_NN2 in_PRP the_AT0 front_AJ0 gardens_NN2 and_CJC the_AT0 double_AJ0 row_NN1 of_PRF parked_AJ0 cars_NN2 were_VBD desolate_AJ0 ,_PUN shrouded_VVN in_PRP cold_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP treasured_VVD these_DT0 passages_NN2 of_PRF astringent_AJ0 solitude_NN1 ,_PUN stolen_VVN from_PRP my_DPS day_NN1 ._SENT 
Then_AV0 I_PNP saw_VVD that_CJT I_PNP was_VBD n't_XX0 alone_AJ0 after_PRP all_DT0 ._SENT A_AT0 woman_NN1 was_VBD standing_VVG beside_PRP the_AT0 wheelie_NN1 bins_NN2 in_PRP the_AT0 paved_AJ0 front_NN1 area_NN1 next_ORD door_NN1 ,_PUN smoking_VVG a_AT0 cigarette_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP had_VHD n't_XX0 noticed_VVN her_PNP at_PRP first_ORD ,_PUN because_CJS she_PNP stood_VVD almost_AV0 directly_AV0 below_PRP me_PNP —_PUN I_PNP was_VBD looking_VVG down_AVP now_AV0 at_PRP the_AT0 top_NN1 of_PRF her_DPS head_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 thick_AJ0 mass_NN1 of_PRF her_DPS black_AJ0 hair_NN1 ._SENT Her_DPS back_NN1 was_VBD more_AV0 or_CJC less_AV0 turned_VVD to_PRP me_PNP ;_PUN she_PNP could_VM0 n't_XX0 possibly_AV0 have_VHI seen_VVN me_PNP ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP 'm_VBB sure_AJ0 I_PNP 'd_VM0 have_VHI been_VBN invisible_AJ0 to_PRP her_PNP anyway_AV0 ,_PUN even_AV0 if_CJS she_PNP 'd_VHD chosen_VVN to_TO0 look_VVI up_AVP behind_PRP her_PNP ._SENT The_AT0 windowpanes_NN2 would_VM0 have_VHI reflected_VVN only_AJ0 darkness_NN1 ._SENT Nonetheless_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP took_VVD a_AT0 step_NN1 back_AVP from_PRP the_AT0 window_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ was_VBD steaming_VVG up_AVP from_PRP my_DPS breath_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 cold_AJ0 glass_NN1 ._SENT This_DT0 woman_NN1 's_POS character_NN1 seemed_VVD strongly_AV0 expressed_VVN in_PRP her_DPS physical_AJ0 presence_NN1 ._SENT With_PRP her_DPS shoulders_NN2 tensed_VVD and_CJC her_DPS head_NN1 held_VVD back_AVP defiantly_AV0 ,_PUN as_CJS if_CJS she_PNP expected_VVD to_TO0 be_VBI challenged_VVN ,_PUN she_PNP flaunted_VVD her_DPS cigarette_NN1 ,_PUN wrist_NN1 angled_VVD coquettishly_AV0 ,_PUN turning_VVG her_DPS face_NN1 away_AV0 to_TO0 blow_VVI out_AVP smoke_NN1 ._SENT Her_DPS black_AJ0 coat_NN1 with_PRP its_DPS fake-fur_AJ0 collar_NN1 was_VBD shrugged_VVN on_AVP against_PRP the_AT0 cold_NN1 ;_PUN beneath_PRP it_PNP ,_PUN she_PNP had_VHD on_PRP a_AT0 white_AJ0 housecoat_NN1 like_PRP a_AT0 nurse_NN1 's_POS uniform_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ made_VVD me_PNP think_VVB she_PNP must_VM0 be_VBI some_DT0 kind_NN1 of_PRF carer_NN1 for_PRP the_AT0 old_AJ0 man_NN1 next_ORD door_NN1 ._SENT We_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 know_VVI him_PNP very_AV0 well_AV0 ._SENT We_PNP 'd_VHD spoken_VVN to_PRP his_DPS grownup_NN1 sons_NN2 going_VVG in_AVP and_CJC out_AVP ;_PUN I_PNP 'd_VHD offered_VVN to_TO0 do_VDI shopping_NN1 for_PRP him_PNP but_CJC they_PNP said_VVD they_PNP could_VM0 manage_VVI ._SENT I_PNP guessed_VVD that_CJT this_DT0 carer_NN1 was_VBD pent_AJ0 up_AVP like_PRP me_PNP ,_PUN bracing_VVG herself_PNX for_PRP a_AT0 return_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 daily_AJ0 perpetual_AJ0 work_NN1 of_PRF kindness_NN1 ._SENT She_PNP sucked_VVD on_PRP that_DT0 cigarette_NN1 thirstily_AV0 ,_PUN holding_VVG her_DPS right_AJ0 elbow_NN1 in_PRP her_DPS left_AJ0 hand_NN1 ,_PUN left_AJ0 arm_NN1 clasped_VVD tightly_AV0 against_PRP her_DPS body_NN1 ._SENT When_CJS she_PNP 'd_VHD finished_VVN ,_PUN she_PNP ground_VVD out_AVP the_AT0 cigarette_NN1 end_NN1 under_PRP her_DPS heel_NN1 ._SENT 
Before_CJS she_PNP went_VVD inside_AV0 she_PNP cast_VVB one_PNI quick_AJ0 look_VVB up_AVP at_PRP our_DPS window_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ made_VVD me_PNP start_VVI back_AVP again_AV0 ;_PUN she_PNP could_VM0 n't_XX0 have_VHI seen_VVN me_PNP but_CJC perhaps_AV0 had_VHD an_AT0 animal_NN1 intuition_NN1 that_CJT she_PNP was_VBD being_VBG watched_VVN ._SENT And_CJC ,_PUN as_CJS she_PNP punched_VVD the_AT0 buttons_NN2 on_PRP the_AT0 key_NN1 safe_AJ0 before_PRP unlocking_VVG the_AT0 door_NN1 and_CJC disappearing_VVG into_PRP the_AT0 house_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP had_VHD time_NN1 to_TO0 see_VVI that_CJT she_PNP was_VBD much_AV0 younger_AJC than_CJS me_PNP ,_PUN but_CJC not_XX0 young_AJ0 ._SENT Forty_CRD ,_PUN perhaps_AV0 ,_PUN with_PRP something_PNI faded_VVN or_CJC hardened_VVN in_PRP her_DPS smudged_AJ0 ,_PUN brash_AJ0 ,_PUN sultry_AJ0 looks_NN2 —_PUN snub_NN1 nose_NN1 ,_PUN full_AJ0 mouth_NN1 ,_PUN luxuriant_AJ0 thick_AJ0 lashes_NN2 ,_PUN scarred_AJ0 bad_AJ0 skin_NN1 ._SENT With_PRP her_DPS stocky_AJ0 build_NN1 and_CJC dark_AJ0 coloring_NN1 ,_PUN she_PNP might_VM0 have_VHI been_VBN Spanish_AJ0 or_CJC Portuguese_AJ0 ._SENT Margot_NP0 would_VM0 n't_XX0 have_VHI considered_VVN this_DT0 woman_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 least_AV0 pretty_AJ0 or_CJC sexy_AJ0 ;_PUN she_PNP 'd_VM0 have_VHI said_VVN that_CJT she_PNP was_VBD coarse_AJ0 ._SENT I_PNP can_VM0 see_VVI how_AVQ some_DT0 people_NN0 might_VM0 find_VVI her_PNP attractive_AJ0 ._SENT My_DPS mother_NN1 's_POS judgment_NN1 on_PRP such_DT0 matters_NN2 was_VBD always_AV0 inflexible_AJ0 ,_PUN with_PRP that_DT0 little_AJ0 twist_NN1 of_PRF distaste_NN1 in_PRP her_DPS face_NN1 ,_PUN behind_PRP the_AT0 show_NN1 of_PRF concession_NN1 and_CJC self-doubt_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ What_DTQ were_VBD you_PNP doing_VDG in_PRP the_AT0 spare_AJ0 room_NN1 ?_SENT "_PUQ she_PNP asked_VVD when_CJS I_PNP went_VVD downstairs_AV0 ._SENT 
"_PUQ I_PNP went_VVD to_PRP the_AT0 loo_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ I_PNP said_VVD ._SENT "_PUQ I_PNP went_VVD to_TO0 look_VVI out_AVP of_PRF the_AT0 window_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ Anything_PNI happening_VVG out_AVP on_PRP Desolation_NN1 Row_NN1 ?_SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ Nothing_PNI ,_PUN no._NN1 No_ITJ one_PNI ._SENT "_PUQ 
