Reversed Forecast / Small Holdings. Nicola Barker

Those who think we’re the same as men, and those who think we’re different. Equal, obviously, but different.’

      Sam was delighted. A proper conversation! Connor’s idea of animated chat was a discussion of the intricacies of Gram Parson’s fretwork.

      ‘Which type are you?’ she asked.

      The first. But I don’t know about Angela Carter, and that makes me suspicious.’

      ‘I like her,’ Sam said, ‘I like that difference. Whatever it is.’

      Sarah considered this for a moment and then said, ‘Maybe because you’re culturally different, you have a looser approach to questions of gender.’

      ‘Culture doesn’t come into it,’ Sam said, vaguely defensive. ‘I might be a different colour, but I still know that sex is more complicated than race.’

      Sarah continued to unpack. She took some magazines from her case, some papers and a notepad.