The weather is awful, still windy, pouring with rain and completely hostile. I barely get two streets, struggling to face the onslaught of lashing rain when I realise this was a dumb idea and I should never have ventured this far. It was a struggle to get here, and I am so out of breath I can barely gasp enough oxygen to fill my lungs. I am so run down and sick and I overestimated my ability to venture outside.

Alexi’s apartment is in Manhattan upper east, so I find myself surrounded by swanky bars and restaurants with how far I have come and duck into the nearest one for...