Doris Wright stood up at the back of the room, leaning on her stick.

“Mr Chairman,” she said loudly. “I'd like to propose a motion.”

Nigel looked at her helplessly.

“I propose,” said Doris, “that we cancel last month's change to the constitution. And that from now on, anybody who lives at Kingsmere Gardens can stand for the committee. Whether they own their house or rent it.”

“I'll second that,” said Liam.

“So will I,” said one of the owners at the front. A young woman with a baby on her lap. “I only voted for the change because Nigel said everyone else was.”

There was a murmur of agreement.

Nigel looked around the room. At the owners. At the renters. At me.

Then, very slowly, he picked up his gavel.

“All those in favour,” he said quietly.

A hundred and four hands went up. Owners and renters together.

“All those against?”

Two hands. His and Penny's.

Nigel put down the gavel.

“The motion is carried,” he said.

Then he took off his reading glasses and looked at the table for a long time.

“And I think,” he said, “perhaps it's time for a new chair.”