We Live in Dangerous Times

So, the security level has been raised to "severe". This means, says a Government spokesman, that we suspect a terror attack is about to happen, but we don't know when or where. And we don't think it's iminent either.

That's us told.

Demon Aunt phoned. "MFI don't know what they're talking about, do they?"

MFI?

"I think they're just putting the willies up us."

MFI?

"Yes, they're eavesdropping on everyone's conversations these days, you know. We're all under suspicion."

This is true. I cannot be the only person to have noticed wardrobes with badly fitting doors ostentatiously reading newspapers in parked cars; loose-handled pine veneer chiffoniers lurking in doorways; unhinged ottomans in internet cafes quite clearly hacking into email accounts. I am sure that my bookshelves have cracked the code in my diaries. It explains the knowing looks ...