PERHAPS one day all this will be over. Perhaps it already is and no one thought to tell me.

And maybe one day the memory will fade of trying to set up an online work meeting on two laptops at the same time.

The cause of this act of juggling is no longer worth recalling. Just imagine if you will a man watching himself on two separate screens, each capturing a different unflattering reflection, as he bobs between the computers.

It is rumoured that this man goes out running three times a week. If so, the belly captured on one of the screens seems unfortunate. No, really, that can’t be a true representation. It must be the angle of the screen or something.

For reasons best known to themselves, the two laptops are screaming at each other in a feedback shout-off. The man ducking between the two computers, while trying not to notice his belly again, decides the only thing to do is switch off one of the laptops.

Silence returns, there is only one of the man again, a definite improvement. Then the man realises he’s turned off the computer that made the invitation to the meeting, and now he won’t be able to let anyone in.

The past year or so has been like that for many of us, the office swapped for the study; human company replaced by the rattle in your own head. At least those of us with grown-up children haven’t had to home educate for great stretches of time, a free pass worth having.

But still, all this staying at home is kind of weird. The same four walls, the same two computer screens (plus the trusty old laptop with the sticking keys on which this is being written). The same two work phones (plus the personal mobile).

The office long ago rattled to noisy typewriters and chatter and smelled of smoke and afternoon beer. All that years later has been replaced by these four walls and the occasional smell of coffee.

At the time of tapping, I have done three different jobs within these walls. At least there is a window with a hopeful view over the garden, trees greening, the birds singing. And the bloody cat sitting on the printer yet again. Oy, missus, vamoose. Some of us have got what now passes for work to do.

Which laptop needs turning on first?