"It says here 35,000 people died in the last heatwave."
She looks at me skeptically. "What people?"
I feel a bit annoyed. Interesting that she wants to categorize the casualties. "People with pre-existing conditions," I answer deviously, watching her closely.
Any flicker of interest fades from her eyes. She responds nonverbally, with a gesture that suggests the conversation is a waste of time.
"But they're dead now," I say. "Last week they were living people."
