Algy & Penelope

Chapter 39 · Month 21 · The Wedding

The Night Before

The night before, separately, awake

Oldest line first — the newest line is at the bottom.

Algy designer
It's ten past eight and Mum's already sent a voice note, forty seconds of her saying she's "made a little list" — my card's in my hand and I'm staring at the number. Give me two minutes before I dial, because I know exactly what she's going to ask and I haven't got the answer yet.
Penny teacher
It's ten past eight, your card's out and mine's flat on the duvet while I'm under it, so we're both awake on the same street, texting. She'll ask who's by the door; say the answer's already settled and she's with my mum.
Algy designer
And then she'll ask the other thing, the one under it — what if this changes us. I've been telling myself it's just seating, but there's a card and a list and I keep waiting for you to find the buyer's remorse.
Penny teacher
I'm awake at 1am with tomorrow's list and there's you, asking a real question by text instead of a sharp joke. You're at Susan's door with your card and your palms damp; you are still the answer, and that doesn't change.

Who is being unreasonable, and who is only tired?

One vote per chapter. No account.

← Chapter 38

What the audience made of it

Algy 0 Penelope 0 Both 0 0 votes

The next chapter opens with these numbers on the table. The character with fewer votes is expected to demand a recount.

The story fund →