3 weird things you’ll recognise if you’re in a long-term relationship

So, you’re with the love of you life. Which means you’ve probably developed some weird habits and annoy your friends a bit. Except most of your friends are now ‘couple’ friends anyway…

1. You’ve argued about something that happened in a dream

“I had the weirdest dream last night… you kissed Jessica.”

“Did I? I don’t even like Jessica.”

“What do you mean you don’t like Jessica? It certainly looked like you like her when you had your tongue down her throat.”

“But I didn’t…”

“Do you fancy Jessica?”

…

2. Losing something is never your fault anymore

“Where’s the car key?”

“I don’t know, you had it last.”

“I always put it in the dish by the front door. It’s not there.”

“But you had it last, I don’t know where…”

“I always put it in the dish by the front door, you’re the one who leaves it all over the place.”

“Have you checked the pocket of the trousers you had on earlier?”

“I always put it in the dish by the front door. When did you use the car last? I can’t believe you’ve lost it, I’m going to be late for my meeting now…”

“Seriously, you drove the car last, I don’t know where the key is…”

“Oh, it’s in the pocket of the trousers I was wearing earlier… Did you put it there?”

…

3. Friends and family forget you aren’t actually one inseparable entity

“Where’s Toby?”

“Oh, he’s at home.”

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah, he had some work to catch up on. It’s a great party, though. It’s been ages since I’ve…”

[sincere nodding, a gentle squeeze of the wrist] “Is everything okay with you two?”

…

Beat The Rain

Beat The Rain documents a long-term relationship from the very beginning to its end. At times humorous, at times heartbreaking, it explores what it means to live, to love and to lose.

“Gripping storytelling from the very start, Beat the Rain is a wonderfully written debut novel from an author with a truly compelling insight into the human condition. It’s serious, sad but also laugh-out-loud funny. A touching and sensitive portrayal of the interconnected mess of everyday life and love. One of those reads that leaves you wanting more.”

Siobhan Kennedy, Channel 4 News

UK readers can get early copies from Amazon from 1 July – it is available from other stores and online booksellers on 29 July.

Order from Amazon UK now to guarantee one of the first copies on 1 July.

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