It felt good to leave our apartment, if only to the floor below. The elevator opened to an open area, a communal sitting room with sofas and chairs, reminding me of a lobby of a hotel.

“Do you use this area much?”

“No,” Lorna said. “Just another place to clean.”

“I’m sorry. I should do more upstairs. It isn’t fair to you.”

She waved her hand. “Don’t mind me. I’m upset about the lockdown too. Hopefully it will be resolved and your ...