Broken

She had learned a valuable lesson: sex was good. It got you attention. It got you affection. It was a good way to get on in life.

Mr Buckley put his head in his hands. Mrs Buckley didn’t hide her tears. They ran freely down her face and fell to the table from her chin. Upstairs, the discovery of a small collection of porn was greeted with satisfaction.

His story started with Saskia Oswald: Broken loved Saskia Oswald. Had. Once. Loved. Saskia. Oswald. But Saskia Oswald never loved him. She just loved his car. She said, Hey, soldier, fancy taking me for a ride? Did he? Oh, did he. Poor old Broken Buckley.

My heartbeat slows. I shudder. Poor old Archie.