Distrust

Sitting on the rocks by the lighthouse,

the occasional cool spray of ocean on our faces,

Lucy says,

Are you homeless?

No. I live up Poughill way.

Cool.

So we should go to yours.

Nothing about her voice believes me,

though I’m not sure how I gave anything away.

Is this how Marla feels whenever she speaks?

Like the world is sneering.

A seagull lands a few metres from us,

a half loaf of bread in its beak.

We can go whenever you like.

Right now if you want.

The seagull squawks.

I’m meeting someone. Can’t.

She throws a stone at the seagull.

Birds are idiots.