We know from If I Were Me, published October 2022, that Charlie has memory issues. About half way through, we find out (if we haven’t already figured it out) what psychiatric / psychological condition she has. From there, Charlie is faced with an unfathomable moral dilemma.
In the sequel, If We Were One, published November 2023, Charlie starts learning about her inner world. She would say, “Paedophiles have made me a monster. They will now face that monster.”
Excerpt
CHAPTER ONE
CHARLIE
Lavender – who I’m partnered with today, complete with garlic breath and flowery language – gets back into the car and hands me a latte.
“Thanks.” We watch the radio as we take our first sip.
And…
“Mike-Three. Mike-Three. Peckham Road junction Shenley Road. Fight. Three persons involved. Driver altercation. Mike-Three.”
Oh god. Driver altercation… Come on, I can do this.
This new car has superb cup holders. As Lavender acknowledges the call, I flick on the neenaws, swing out from the queue of traffic and onto the wrong side of the road. Oncoming motorists squeeze over.
“The blue van – hasn’t seen you.” Lavender’s backseat driving.
Wrong side of a keep-left bollard.
“The woman with the pram.” More advice from Lavender.
The Wyndham Road traffic lights are red – treat as give-way. “Mind that friggin’ truck.”
I screech to a halt on the far side of the Wyndham Road junction, neenaws still going, lean over and poke Lavender in the chest. “Me driver. You operator. Either shut the fuck up or get out.”
Lavender sneers. “Just keeping us a-friggin’-live.”
I’m off again. Shouldn’t have done that. Not to Lavender.