CA: Sorry, mate, don’t know what made me say that. I was out of line. What are you feeling right now, then? Can I help? We could work on your dreams.

DC: Obviously he’s feeling deep existential despair brought on by the content of this interview. Have some chips, Roman, you’re going to need them.

Copernican Principle

Copernican Principle

‘But why does she call you Horse?’ O wants to know. She has got her reading glasses on the end of her nose and she’s scrutinizing my now-defamed business card that just says Dream Therapy. It is Sunday and we are in the kitchen, where I am trying to make an omelette. Edgar stands on the counter inspecting the eggshells.

‘I can’t even remember. We were at school together since we were eleven. I used to call her Chickie Nugget but I’ve matured.’

O snorts. ‘Well, Chickie Nugget is right about your job title. Dreamhacker is much better. I’ll print up some new ones today. Meanwhile, what are you going to do about the noctambulatory harpist?’

‘She’s gone to see her doctor. I’m out of my depth, O.’

‘And this Antonio character . . . ?’

‘What about him?’

‘Does he strike you as controlling?’

Uh-oh. I know that tone. It’s her rhetorical question tone, viz.: ‘Is it rubbish collection tomorrow?’ and ‘Did you want that pie?’ by which she really means: Put the bin out, lazybones, and Your pie was delicious, respectively. Now she means Antonio is dangerous.

I clear my throat.

‘I don’t think I’ve given you quite a clear picture of Antonio,’ I tell her. ‘He’s a warm, light-hearted guy. He’s sweet.’

‘And he brought you in to treat Melodie. Why?’

Indignant, I say, ‘Maybe he thinks I’m good at what I do.’

‘Darling, I meant why didn’t Melodie address this for herself? She must be a very capable woman if she has a solo career as a classical musician. Surely she knows how to call a therapist.’

‘True.’

‘He was there when you did the session. You said you had to wake him. Is it possible that he is the Creeper?’

I squirm. It’s not like I haven’t sort-of considered it, but . . .

‘What possible reason could he have for undermining Melodie’s career? You should see them together. He dotes on her.’

‘Mm-hmm. Darling, you’re burning the omelette.’

The flat’s buzzer rings.

‘That’ll be Lorraine,’ O says. I check the camera feed. It is Lorraine, plus her grandson Stack. Yum. I buzz them in and shovel up a forkful of omelette while I wait for them to ascend five flights of stairs.

‘She working nights again?’

‘No, she’s off today. She said she’d come check on my wrist.’