From Chapter Thirty-Four – Distorted Perceptions (WIP)

paula-novel paula-writer Keeping in mind that I’m veggie (although not vegan) myself…Made this fun to write. April 2020 Update: Distorted Perceptions has been published.

From Distorted Perceptions, Novel Extract

Background: Lucy and her younger sister, Sarah, have gone for a meal at Cynthia Jackson’s. Cynthia’s daughter, Hannah, is married to Lucy and Sarah’s brother, Danny. Hannah’s brother, Phil, is in town, and Danny and Hannah are trying to encourage a Lucy/Phil romance.

“I’ve made vegetable curry,” said Cynthia. “I hope that’s fine with you all. What with Hannah being vegetarian, and Phil vegan, I thought it best to make something we could all enjoy. I’m as sure as I can be that everything’s vegan.”

Okay – so, as if his sister being veggie wasn’t enough, Phil Jackson had to take just bloody awkward to new heights, and insist upon being vegan.

“I’d love to be vegetarian or vegan,” said Sarah. “I’ve often thought of it.”

I rolled my eyes. “You have? You surprise me, Sarah. I can’t see you giving up your McDonald’s – hamburger or milkshake.”

“I hardly ever have McDonald’s any more.” My sister was blushing. I had to be right about this: Sarah liked Phil.

Well, he was an improvement on Farooq, at any rate.

Trouble was, Phil wasn’t looking at Sarah. He couldn’t take his eyes off me. And Danny and Hannah, for their part, couldn’t stop looking hopefully, from one of us to the other. They clearly had their hearts set on a Phil and Lucy romance.

“Veggie curry is fine, Cynthia,” I said.