Ninety Quid

Liam put the heating bill on the kitchen table like it was evidence. “Ninety quid,” he said. “For one month.”

Priya didn't look up from her phone. “That sounds like a you problem.”

“We split the bills, Priya. It's a you-and-me problem.”

She finally looked up. “Okay, ninety is a lot. Did the price go up?”

“I checked. Same price. We just used way more.”

They both thought about it. The flat had been freezing all month. They'd kept the heating on day and night and still wore coats indoors.

“Hang on,” Priya said slowly. She walked to the bathroom.

Liam heard the window slam shut.

She came back. “It's been open since the boiler guy came — two weeks ago.”

Liam closed his eyes. “We've been heating Hackney.”

“We've been heating all of East London,” Priya said.

She sat down. “So. Split it?”

“Split it,” he said.