Sleeping with John Updike by Julian Barnes

Illustration by Jill Calder

On the first anniversary of the American novelist's death, a new short story by Julian Barnes.
--

'I thought that went very well," Jane said, patting her handbag as the train doors closed with a pneumatic thump. Their carriage was nearly empty, its air warm and stale.

Alice knew to treat the remark as a question seeking reassurance. "You were certainly on good form."

"Oh, I had a nice room for a change. It always helps."

"They liked that story of yours about Graham...