We listed what we understood, circled what required clarification, and made calls together.

Sometimes the representatives resolved a billing error; sometimes they needed documents we didn’t have.

We wrote down names and dates and asked for written confirmations.

There was no miraculous discovery of an account that made the problem disappear.

There was just work, which was somehow easier with both of us doing it.

Callum had always handled large sums at work without flinching.

He found it harder to acknowledge that our household might need to adjust spending.