Second paragraph of third section:

It’s comparatively quite a recent word. But like everything in language it has deep roots.

Another of Smith’s brilliant short novels, set very firmly during the latter days of COVID (it’s funny how few novels there are that use that setting), with a protagonist who finds an acquaintance from student days coming back into her life, along with complex family; and various low-stakes mysteries that need to be solved. I loved it – I think it catches a slice of our lives very well. You can get it here.