And then there is the strange life force of the Delphos, the way its hem pools on the ground like the spreading roots of a tree, and how the vertical pleating begins to look like bark.

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But all over the city, life is returning to its usual, strange pace.

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Life in the middle of Manhattan without power and Internet and easy access to things like groceries is strange.

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Ms Van Outen is the latest addition to the cast of Tube Tales, which tells real-life stories of strange happenings on the capital's Underground network.

BBC: denise van outen