The house I am heading for has already been selected by the other. A glance at my watch tells me that I am on time, so I knock. The door is answered by an unattractive squat woman. She looks at me and wrinkles her nose as if at some rank stench.

'What?' she snaps.

'Mister Edward Hyde.' I hold out my hand, but she simply stares at it. The temptation to hit her is almost overwhelming, but I curb it. Still, she seems to detect my thoughts and takes half a step back. I can feel my smile stretch into a grin. 'I've come about the rooms.'

She nods and turns her back on me and heads into the house. I follow her, letting the door slam shut behind me. She halts momentarily in her stride as it bangs, then continues up the stairs to the second landing.