Looking for a Third

[Dusk on New Year’s Eve. The Girls of Girl Flat enter the scene, descending Muswell Hill in the London borough of Haringey. They carry shopping for the big night ahead and discuss the imminent year]

EP: It’s been good being home. I was getting stuck between the flat and work. I think that the self-help maxim about everyone needing a ‘third place’ is true. [sees ET’s blank expression] That’s the idea that everyone needs a third place beyond home and work for a balanced life. Just think of Prince Andrew. When his second place got into hot water he had the third place alibi to fall back on.

ET: I’d be worried if my third place was a Pizza Express in Woking. But then I don’t even have a second place at the moment. And the first place is really grinding my gears. You know we still won’t have any hot water or heating when we go back?

EP: I sent the agent an email to let them know that our boiler is broken and all they replied was ‘It’s actually not broken, it’s missing.’ I just want a hot show…