All together now

James
(£100 a week saved for the past two weeks
and the rest of his earnings
spent
on wine)

Joe
(finding himself
after two years lost. Playing
with James’s hair and
laughing)

Annie
(full of her first day in sixth form.
Loving it
and
Christian, re-tuning the guitar)

Ben-and-Linda
joined
at the hip

James, Joe, Annie, Ben-and-Linda and me.

James raids cupboards
and the fridge. Cooks tortellini
(ricotta and spinach) and a sauce made of tuna,
chillis, white wine and garlic. Offers
tuna to the cat.
(The cat, suspicious, suddenly has to wash
her back leg.)

Joe tucks himself
under the duvet. Watches TV for a while. Goes
to the cashpoint.

Annie goes
to bed.

Ben-and-Linda leaves.

A strong wind
blows.