‘Really?’ Another string snapped. Lizzie was a violin, about to sing. She could feel what was happening, like she always did, but was powerless to stop it.

‘What’s going on?’

‘Nothing.’ Lizzie tried not to show how annoyed she was, but the mood was ruined and she just wanted to go home, before she did something she might regret. She needed her blade, a white patch of skin. ‘I’d better go.’

‘Why? You just got here.’

‘Because. Lenny is at home and I’ve got stuff to do.’

‘And I’m just an item on your to-do list? Christ, Lizzie. I just wanted to talk to you first. I was going to ask you to—’

‘To what?’

Luke laughed, but it wasn’t a nice sound. ‘I was going to ask you and Lenny to move in with me.’

‘Oh,’ Lizzie said quietly, but Luke heard.

‘Oh? Is that all you’ve got to say?’ He looked embarrassed, exposed.

‘I didn’t expect that.’ Lizzie cupped her face in her hands and tried to take back some control. ‘It’s too soon.’

‘I know, and were you not living in a shelter, I’d wait, but I hate the thought of you and Lenny living there. I had it all planned. I even went out today and got this cut.’ Luke pulled out a key with a football fob attached, then shoved it back in his pocket. ‘You won’t be needing it, though, will you? You just come here for dinner and sex, right? That’s all I’m good for.’

And that was when Lizzie slapped him. Hard. A crack across his cheek that seemed to split the shaky ground she stood on.

‘What the fuck?’ Luke’s hand went to his cheek and he looked at her in horror.

Time stopped for them briefly. They had paused in the moment, Lizzie’s arm in mid-air, Luke’s hand on his cheek. Slow motion. A shutter closing. A freeze frame.

George

(I miss you like I miss you)

GEORGE LETS POPPY OUT for a wee and a sniff in the garden. Asks her about the weather, then makes his own tea. One teabag for him, one for the pot. Ellen used to say it out loud. The tea comes out hot and chestnut brown, the way he likes it. Poppy gets a slosh in the saucer. Like clockwork.

He eats brown cereal to match his brew. Walks round till it does its thing, and then sits on the toilet and does his. A quick flannel wash over the sink, hair wet and slicked back, whiskers tidied, then he gets dressed.