Setting

Time setting

The short story “Just below the Surface” by Kate Nivison was published in 1993 and is probably meant to be read as contemporary to the time when it was written. This is suggested, for example, by Indrani shopping at Freeman Hardy’s (actually Freeman, Hardy and Willis) (p. 129, l. 35), which was a chain of footwear retailers which was closed in 1996. 

The action takes place over the course of two weeks. During the first week, Indrani and, later, Kumar, try to solve the rat problem by themselves. In the second week, they try to get rid of the rats by following the advice of two men from the Council (p. 132, ll. 7-10). 

Physical setting

The general physical setting is London, UK. Indrani mentions several known supermarkets and shops in the UK, such as Sainsbury’s (p. 129, l. 25), Freeman Hardy’s (p. 129, l. 35), and Woolworths (p. 130, l.5), adding to the realism of the story. Indrani, Kumar, and their two children recently moved to Wanstead, a relatively wealthy suburb...