Beautifully Unexpected

by Lily Morton

“I don’t do this with friends.” “I hate you beyond all bearing,” he says promptly. “Everything okay now? Can we shag?”

The dog pulls on his lead and makes an alarming choking noise. After we’ve stopped to ascertain that he isn’t dying but is instead apparently stupid, we set off again.

“Never wanted children, then?” he asks, tapping away on his phone. “I’d rather have syphilis.” He snorts with laughter,