Gwen and Art Are Not in Love

by Lex Croucher

‘There is a time and place for dwelling on the past,’ the king said, observing Arthur thoughtfully. ‘I firmly believe that we should respect what has come before, but be sure that we are always learning from it; to emulate the good, and acknowledge the bad, and always be striving towards progress.’

‘Nobody else is ever going to care as much as you do about the things that you want, Gwendoline. So it’s up to you – you can put them aside forever, if you can live with that, or you can put on your big-girl girdle and demand more for yourself.’

‘Jesus, Gabriel – why are you punishing her for who she is because you’re scared of who you might be?’

But I didn’t say no to you, Gwen. I said no to giving up my whole life to wait around for moments with you, whenever you could spare them.

‘In that case, Sidney Fitzgilbert – I have decided to make a series of poor decisions in an attempt to clear my name in the eyes of those I love, most likely culminating in our untimely deaths.’ ‘Well,’ said Sidney, shaking out his shoulders and then settling into the saddle, chin stubbornly raised. ‘Good of you to announce it this time. Usually, you just crack on.’

‘To be truly brave, first you must be afraid – and to be afraid, you must have something you cannot bear to lose