Page 26 of Little Miss Fortune

This cider tastes like pork scratchings all of a sudden.

He did do all that, but Sashka doesn’t know, and will never know about the worst thing that happened.

We had sex multiple times after that. I kept going back. I couldn’t stop myself. The sex is fine, and I get very lonely and need distraction anytime something goes wrong, which is pretty often if you’re me. Some deep internal reflection is required; I am aware. I am just not ready to unpack this yet.

‘Wow, so he basically submitted the Burn Book to the principal.’ Toby laughs.

‘What?’ Sashka asks.

‘Regina George? Mean Girls.’

Sashka doesn’t enjoy watching films. She much prefers Turkish dramas that used to broadcast on one of the channels back in Ukraine.

‘Ah, Fuko is the film nerd. Was that a good reference?’ She turns to me.

‘Hysterical and unreasonable. Childish revenge. Yep, pretty good, I would say. More What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? in some aspects but...’

‘Wow, that’s an old one. Very impressive.’

The corners of his mouth curl. There is something in the way his gaze studies my face, how low his voice sounds.

Hmm. Okay. This feels strange. Maybe I should lay off film talk to give them more chances to connect. Or just keep quiet for the rest of the evening. Except Sashka has a very different idea.

SCENE

INT. BRITISH PUB – DAY

TOBY, SASHKA, and FUKO sit in a circular leather booth. Toby smiles when Sashka talks. Fuko looks tense with a single glass of cider in front of her.

SASHKA

Oh yeah, I think Fuko’s read that book.

Toby glances at Fuko. Camera spins around arriving back onto the group. Fuko now has two empty glasses in front of her. Toby says something.

SASHKA

That’s where Fuko wants to go!

Fuko’s head is in her hands. Toby just nods politely. Camera spins. There are now three glasses in front of Fuko, who is looking into the distance. Toby and Sashka are talking.

SASHKA

I swear, Fuko, you have said the same thing about meal deals! Didn’t you, Fuko? They are no longer a meal or a deal.

THE END

Oh. My. God. I am not dating Toby, Sashka. What the fuck are you doing? She doesn’t seem to notice, every sentence coming out with genuine affection for me and attempting to engage with Toby’s interests.

‘Where is Leon?’ I ask in desperation.

‘Oh, he can’t make it anymore.’

‘What about theatre? Sashka loves the opera.’ I try to intervene.

‘I am more into musicals,’ Toby says, unassuming.

So am I.