Time is construct, in relativity every thing flows, no past or present, only the now. - Kate Atkinson

It was a long time ago now. And it was yesterday.

"Dr. Kellet himself wore a three-piece Harris tweed suit strung with a large gold fob watch. He smelled of cloves and pipe tobacco and had a twinkly look about him as if he were going to toast muffins or read a particularly good story to her, but instead he beamed at Ursula and said, "So, I hear you tried to kill your maid?" (Oh, that's why I'm here, Ursula thought.)"

(although anyone with half a brain must surely be mired in existential gloom all the time)