Anouk bought the hook because she was tired of dropping her bag on Meriel’s floor. It was brass, small enough to fit in her palm, and attached to a strip that could be removed without damaging the paint. She read the instructions twice in the shop, then bought two.
At the flat she put one inside the cupboard by the door. The other she left in its packet. Buying something for a place she was leaving in three weeks felt mildly rebellious. Buying two felt like a lapse in judgement.
Orson arrived while she was pressing the first hook firmly against the cupboard wall.
“Should I ask?”
“I’m acquiring infrastructure.”
“Ambitious.”
“Hold this.”
She handed him her bag. He stood patiently while she counted the required time under her breath, then waited a little longer because she did not trust adhesive on principle.
“There.”
She hung the bag. It stayed…
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