Beth O'Leary

he’s thankfully well out of earshot

we’ve all dodged around discussing him.

‘lay down some rules’

Gerty closes her eyes in pained resignation.

tipping her head back

You’ve given enough.

Never. That’s impossible. I will never give enough, not for this, though I’ve wished enough times that I could have swapped places to save him from it

‘Larger than life’ is Kay-speak for overweight. Wish she wouldn’t say things like that.

Kay: Look, you’re on your way, aren’t you?

Maybe it’s because you’re important to my brother, and my brother is like the only person who is properly important to me.