This is The Writer's Voice, new fiction from The New Yorker.

I'm Debra Treesman, fiction editor at The New Yorker.

On this episode of The Writer's Voice, we'll hear Esther Freud read her story, Desire,

from the September 27th, 2021 issue of the magazine.

Freud is the author of Nine Novels, including Hideous Kinky, Mr. Mac and Me,

and I couldn't love you more.

Now here's Esther Freud.

Desire

The trio you are sisters, surely, a man a wash with drink,

way laid us as we fought through to the lounge.

A mother smiled, eyes fixed on an empty row of seats,

while B&I stepped sideways to avoid the steam-cloud of his breath.

Quick, a couple was snaking their way towards our chairs,

and lifting Mac's mum rushed to intercept them.

The boat was cheaper than the plane, the night boat cheaper still,

and it was possible if you were fast to find enough seats to allow you to lie down.

The man, red-faced, lost his footing, and one arm flailing caught be around the waist,

fuck off, she said, yanking herself free.

Remember, not a word about the move, our mother said, when we were settled.

And I glanced at the dark curtain of her hair,

her fine, drawn skin and worried eyes.

B. had twisted round to check the rubbery doors,

...