In June, Dr. Benois assesses a cataract during Lockdown The moment he was taking calls I made the appointment - had to shower, cover my hair, wear a face mask to make the grade; only then permitted to step over the clinic's red chained threshold. Carte Vitale, name of Medecin Traitante, my home address, and date of birth, detailed as usual. (The secretary clearly highly stressed). He was an absolute dream, Dr. B. "Sit, close your mouth, you're not at the Dentist. Quite still, don't blink. Mmmm, this one is ready.             Now, fix a date for the anaesthetist. Pay with cash. We have no facility for cards. The Op? November. Go steady".

In November, Dr. Benois removes a cataract during Lockdown The night before, clean sheets; use Betadine,   shower twice, repeat on waking - don't eat, but hourly, thrice, a drop of Atropine in the eye. At the Clinic, Nurse will greet you, check date of birth, record vital signs, supply paper pyjamas, mask, hair net. Prepped in theatre, Dr B. takes time to explain the procedure, tete a tete. I can hear my heart through a fingertip. Psychedelic lights flare, swirl in my eye. "Amazing". I murmur. "Please don't chatter. Your optic nerve is still drugged; cataract's out, implant's in and there's cake and coffee. It delights me that you enjoyed your trip".