It shouldn't exist. At least not on this planet. Not in this timeline. He checks the readings again. The creature contained in the cage, a strange shimmering thing that seems to have mass but almost no

The silver-haired thing sits in the corner of the cupboard. When she approaches, it hisses at her and pokes at her with what looks like a toothpick. What is it? Brian asks her. I have no idea, Alison says.

She's losing control again. She can feel herself unravelling. Of course, if it were just a problem for her, that would worry her. But it isn't. Is it? So many people relied on her. Too many people. She

It is his year. He is sure of it. The Blob sits in a corner seat at the back of the dingy cafe he frequents when he feels like treating himself. He sips at a black coffee, and plays with the paper wrapping,

She tells him he is on the brink of failure. He rolls his eyes and says, Tell me something I don't know, love. It's been the story of my life. He picks up his pint, drains it and plonks it down on the

He bought an invisible dog of a man in the pub. His friends said he was a mug, that the man was a conman. That, clearly, there was no such thing as an invisible dog. But Mike could feel the dog's tongue

I've not quit yet, he says in a tone of voice that tells me it won't be long before he does. They keep trying to get rid of me. I'm holding on just to spite them really. He leans on a broom, an unlit cigarette

No, not him, Gemma shakes her head. The other brother. I turn away from Brad, gratefully, and look to where Gemma is indicating with a nod of the head and both eyes. Standing next to the barbecue is a

He inhaled the scent of the flower, letting it travel deep into his lungs. Hey! he shouted. You guys should really come smell this flower. There was no response. Not even mocking laughter. Billy looked

I deserve it! Lily says, her fist is balled tight, and I can see the knuckles turning white. I look over at Em and roll my eyes. Here she goes, I communicate with my eyeroll. Em pretends not to notice,

She liked to think of herself as an amateur detective, but Nelly - her sister - thought Lily was just nosy. You are always peeking out of the window, Nelly complained. What must the neighbours think? Lily

I watch as he sips at his tea. It's too hot, he complains. He pulls a face. And it's not the usual flavour. It tastes... bitter. Like you, I think. But I say nothing. I smile and keep my face as still

It was the last fucking straw. Happy birthday, babe, he says, handing her a scrunched-up paper bag. She takes it, reluctantly. It wasn't her birthday. Her birthday was last week (as he knows because they

It's just imposter syndrome, she says, smiling. He wouldn't have appointed you if you weren't up to the job. The warmth of her smile usually melts any doubts I have. But not this time. She doesn't know

Stop! she yells and grabs hold of his hand as he pulls down on the lever. That's the wrong mechanism, you bloody idiot. Marls blinks at her, and she can almost hear the cogs of his mind working through

It's just space, man, she says. I look out of the large porthole at the stars, the darkness in between, the great nothingness of it all, and think the word just might be underplaying it somewhat. But,

Scatter love everywhere, she says and blows him a kiss. He tries to catch it, but he always has been rubbish at catching things. It slips through his fingers and lands on a passing dog. The dog grins,

She was similar to me, I guess. If you ignored all the differences. People seemed to mix us up. We weren't twins. Shit, we didn't even have the same parents. But people always assumed we were brother and

So what if I do? he yelled. His face was the colour of an old potato, she thought. It kind of looked as ugly as one too. You are going to have a heart attack if you carry on like that, she said, her voice

Catch! he yells and throws something at her. Cake grabs what she thinks is a small brick or a large stone. It slips in her palm, but she keeps hold. It smells like Sunday evenings. You need a wash! Gobber