The Echo Chamber

by John Boyne

‘I mean, you could always come and live with me, if you wanted. Live with us, that is. The baby and me.’ He narrowed his eyes, hoping that she was joking. ‘But you live in Croydon,’ he said. ‘What on earth has that got to do with anything?’ ‘If you don’t know, then there’s very little point in me trying to explain.’

Along with his weak bladder, Wilkes was prone to tears, particularly now, during hay-fever season. He perspired a lot too. Basically, he was a leaker.