The Flatshare

by Beth O'Leary

It is very weird. Someone Other Than Mo is called Lucie and is wearing a gigantic cricket jumper as a dress, which obviously immediately makes me like her and ask

He hands me a suitably strong cup of tea. This is the first cup of tea he’s ever made me, but—just like I know how milky he likes his—he must’ve figured out how I drink mine. It’s weird how easily you can get to know someone from the traces they leave behind when they go.

“I’m so sorry about last night,” I begin. Leon shakes his head. “Please don’t. It’s not your fault, is it?” “Well. I did date him. Voluntarily.” My tone’s light, but Leon frowns. “Relationships like that stop being about ‘voluntarily’ very quickly. There’s lots of ways someone can make you stay with them, or think you want to.”