Fold

Tom Campbell

This is going to appeal to blokes in search of self-knowledge, or for those who have attained it (ok ladies, I saw that look) and want to reflect on why it's so hard for their mates to do so. And yes, for their female others (post-feminist deconstruction) a great analysis of why testosterone and alcohol makes for such ridiculous competitiveness when they are supposedly having fun.

Extract

The fifth and final card came down and, to his immense surprise, Nick noticed that he had a straight. In fact, he now realised that he'd had one since the card before. It was well disguised, though that was hardly an excuse for him not knowing: on the table there was a seven of hearts, nine of spades and jack of hearts, and there he was with the eight and ten of diamonds in his hand.

Parallels