"Different. I can imagine," she replies quickly, relieved for the excuse for her mistake, for the explanation for Njoki's strange appearance, and for the opportunity to change the subject.

"I am from 1932, and given the state of things then, I can only imagine what you future-types get up to. I'm curious to hear whether your parties put ours to shame." A pause, then she adds, warily aware of how strange it will sound, "The world...hasn't ended, has it?"