Jimmy tried again. ‘I think we eventually convinced him we weren’t total crackpots.’ Again I gave no reply. ‘You OK?’ asked Jimmy kindly, taking his hand briefly off the wheel to give mine a reassuring squeeze. ‘He didn’t know me.’ My voice was dull and toneless, but Jimmy’s ears still discerned the pain. ‘I know.’ There was compassion and understanding in his tone. ‘I don’t know why I’m surprised, I should have been expecting it. But he was the first person who I’ve met who I know well; who I really care about. He’s my friend, for God’s sake and he didn’t know who the hell I was!’ I thought of the pub full of familiar faces, none of whom had recognised me. ‘No one does.’ I couldn’t blame Jimmy for failing to come up with some soothing rejoinder. What on earth could he say that could offer any comfort? ‘It’s almost as though it’s not me with amnesia… it’s them!
