This pool is a triumph of imagination. That's how you win at life, Gin. You have to imagine your way through. Never say something can't be done. There's always a solution, even if it's weird.

I feel warm and reassured," I whispered. "He's like Santa.

Irony is the word I forget the meaning of immediately after I look it up, but I kind of feel like I live in a constant state of it.

With that, I splashed some water on my face, fixed on a smile, and stepped out. I would find Jerome. I would make him explain to me what I was missing. We would laugh, then we would kiss with tongue, and all would be well.

English rain feels obligatory, like paperwork. It dampens already damn days and slicks the stones.

All right. Normal rules apply." "Right." The man walked off, leaving us. "What are the normal rules?" I asked. "He walks away and has a tea break and doesn't ask any questions.

I'm the last of the mad ones.