I am trying to work out where a small desk could go for my daughter without making our room impossible to walk through. In a hotel I see the whole space quickly, but at home every chair is doing two jobs and nothing can simply go into storage. My cousin suggested a folding table. I started listing why it would wobble, then realised I hadn't looked at one yet. We measured the bit of wall beside the window with a piece of string because the tape measure had disappeared. There is more space than I thought, just not where I wanted it. I have kept the string in my bag for when we pass the furniture stalls.

A guest came back down the corridor just to tell me the room looked lovely. I said thank you in my proper hotel voice and then smiled to myself all the way to the linen store. My colleague teased me for looking as if I had received a promotion. I know one compliment does not change the workload, but that woman had actually looked at me, not only at the finished bed. Later my daughter asked why I was buying the biscuits she likes. No big reason. I was in a good mood and wanted us to have something with our tea. Sometimes I wish it took so little to spoil me every day.

My cousin offered to do my hair after supper and I nearly refused because I still had clothes to sort. Then I sat down and remembered how good it feels when somebody else is the one using their hands. She was gentle around the front, where I always tell her not to pull, and the comb made a small scratching feeling that almost put me to sleep. My shoulders were still tired from the hotel beds but I had stopped holding them up. My daughter brought her own chair to watch. By the end one leg had gone numb underneath me and I had to stand slowly. I left the clothes. They were clean already, which was enough for that evening.