The day didn’t start well. I was going to be evicted for non-payment of rent and I had a fight with my girlfriend.

I said Why don’t you put the lids back on jars properly so they don’t come off when I pick them up?

She said You think you’re so political but it’s all just meaningless crap.

I said I don’t really think your paintings are any good, I just say that to make you feel ok.

She said Of all the people I’ve slept with you’re the most dull.

I said I wish we were both dead.

She said Goodbye.

I sat there a while. I sat there a long while.

Right, I said to myself, I’ll go out.

Walking down the street I checked my phone. I had an email telling me I’d got the job. I’d got the job. I wouldn’t be evicted. I’d begin to get somewhere.

I wanted to tell my girlfriend but I didn’t.

I kept on walking. The sun was out.

I decided to go and see my friend whose brother just died in an accident. He was on holiday in France and he fell off a roof.

I said Is it ok just turning up?

He said The thing is he’s in heaven.

Ok I said.

I don’t feel too bad he said because it must have been very quick and of course he’s in heaven now, he’s in bliss and he wasn’t when he was alive. And I do miss him but life’s quite short anyway so I’ll soon see him again.

Do you feel you’re in touch with him? I said.

Yes he said he’s watching over me just like when we were little and he was my big brother.

That’s great I said, that’s amazing.

Yes I’m surprised myself how ok it is he said.

I went on down the street. I saw a homeless man I sometimes give money to.

He said Hey good news. I’m getting housed. Not in a hostel, I’ve got a flat.

Very good news I said. How did that happen?

Haven’t you heard he said there’s a new government policy, get people off the streets by next week, double universal credit and build thousands of low-rent council flats. Oh and stop rich foreigners buying up places and not living in them.