The Guest: ‘The tension never wavers’ (GUARDIAN)

A lit candle made jumping shadows on the baseboard.

The pool was heated to an amniotic

One of those daughters of the rich who were pitiable because, in the end, they could buy everything but beauty.

Look more awake. She went through the routine, brightening her eyes, patting color into her cheeks. This labor felt virtuous.

the suede heels she’d had resoled multiple times.

Simon said something to her that she pretended not to hear.

beach. A system that existed only because everyone believed they were among people like themselves.

This game of convincing people how much things were worth—in that way, she and Simon were not so different.

Time had started to feel a little slurred, a little unreal.