The Cuckoo's Call

by Lily Morton

“The TV is nice and big, but it’s not much use for people who aren’t multi-lingual, as all the stations are in Spanish. I’ve had an interesting week making up what I think they’re talking about, but it’s wasted on your guests who are challenged in the imagination department.”

“I fail to understand why. He was waving his hands around like a human windmill.”

“I wouldn’t want to cross you. You're the Terminator of politeness. That was annihilation by good manners.”

“Oh, thank you,” I say rather awkwardly. “It’s like being Cinderella.” “If you lost one of those flip-flops, it wouldn’t be a tragedy,” he says dryly,

“He was built like a bull and would wander around the pool, and he always bought them a size too small so his balls would peek out. It used to quite put me off my lunch.”

“Maybe it’s the compassion police,” I say idly. “Coming to arrest you for being such a complete cocksicle, Owen.”

their body language is as closed as a door in Pentonville Prison,

She’s hanging on the arm of a slim and very pouty young man wearing head-to-toe velvet. Not something easily managed unless you’re a toy rabbit.