Strange Conversations

By Luna Harlow

Three tales of the awkward conversations you could have if monsters and space aliens were part of your every day life.

A young woman reconnects with her high school boyfriend, no matter how much she tries to avoid it. A concerned friend argues about the wisdom of romancing a vampire. A space pilot watches her boss suffer through talking with a diplomat.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Luna Harlow
• Release date: Jan 22, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386817574

Luna Harlow

Luna Harlow is a writer from Melbourne, Australia. By day Luna does confidential (if very boring) admin work, and by night she indulges her passions for writing and the creative arts. Her hobbies include using books as an excuse to not talk to people on the train, and singing along to every song at parties.

Book preview

Her Alien Ex Boyfriend

ILONA ALREADY REGRETTED entering this coffee shop.

She'd only gone in out of nostalgia – honestly, she'd never enjoyed it all that much when she was working there all those years ago.  And yet, just the sight of it as she walked down George Street brought a smile to her face.  She hadn't been thinking of all those hours she'd spent cleaning the counters, being yelled at by her boss, or fighting with Jack.  Instead, she remembered how her best friend had helped her get that job, and how she saved for weeks to buy her first handbag (starting off a shopping addiction she couldn't quite kick).  She'd felt compelled to go inside, not just to see if it was anything like she remembered, but also because she'd always wondered what it was like on the other side of the counter.

Now, however, with her frothy latte, all she could think about was that bastard Jack, and how dare he come back into town.

She hadn't noticed him when she sat down.  She'd been too busy smiling vaguely at her coffee while trying to sit down with all her bags without spilling anything on herself.  She was surprised when someone sat across from her and then when she looked up – there was Jack!  Ten years older, of course, but no less good looking, and wearing a smug look that suggested he was no less a pain in the neck.

Ilona! he cried out.  You're still here!

Uh, if by here you mean Sydney, sure.  If by here you mean still working here, no way, I've moved on.  I have an actual adult job.  And an actual adult life, which I'm happy to report doesn't involve you in it.

She could feel the look on her face souring like old milk, as he sat there continuing to smile at her in his perfectly uncreased black wool suit.

Come on, Ilona, you don't have to be like that.  The past is past. Let's bury the hatchet once and for all.

She smirked.  I could bury it in your neck.

Hey, you don't have to be like this, he said, finally letting his smile fall away.

Like this he looked more like he had when she'd known him.  The perpetual scowl he'd had at 17 seemed to have faded into a look of mild distress at 27.  He still had