"So anyway, in summary: they're both kind of driving me a bit mad" Sacha explained. It was Sunday night, and as usual Kate had called so they could have their weekly catch-up.

"Yeah. I can totally understand that" Kate said. "A couple of years ago I was living with a couple, just while I was looking for another place, and it was just this constant arguing, and tantrums, and just all this drama. It's like, who needs that?"

"See, that's not it, though" Sacha said. "I barely even notice them. It's practically like I've got the house to myself."

"How long have they been going out?"

"Oh, Christ -" Sacha exhaled dismissively. "Like, a week and a half?"

"Oh, so just nothing really, then."

"Yeah."

"Anyway I thought you liked living by yourself" Kate said.

"I kinda do, but only if I'm really doing it. But this is like, I'm living by myself, but I still have to wait for my turn to use the bathroom, you know? Like, can't it be one thing or another?"

"But all the same, I mean - a week and a half, Sash. It doesn't seem like long enough for it to get on your nerves. Shouldn't you at least give them a chance?"

"I'm not writing them off!" Sacha insisted. "I'm just saying, it's a bit annoying."

"Are you at least being nice to them?"

"No less so than usual" Sacha said defensively.

"That doesn't sound good."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean . . . Sacha, you've got this personal space. And you don't like anyone else getting into it."

"What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing, sort of. But unless you're gonna go live in a cave somewhere, you've gotta get used to other people being around. And I mean I know you're self-sufficient, and all that good stuff, but really, Sacha. Try and reach out once in a while, will you?"

"Well . . ." Sacha thought about it, cowed slightly by Kate's words. "I cooked dinner for us all the other night."

"Did they appreciate it?"

"Yeah. Shelly even did all the washing up afterwards. Straight away."

"Oh yeah" Kate said sarcastically, "she sounds like a nightmare."