When You Find That Thing You’ve Lost, Will You Dare To Lose It Again?

The lava, which is all the colours of a human heart, flows away into holes between cobbles and into drains, along gutters, out of the town square, out of the town. It turns to ash over time and is gradually eroded by gales.

When visitors approach the miniature volcano one by one, they carry a small piece of paper. Each visitor has written down the name of one person they have lost. They burn this person’s name in the volcano and resolve never to speak it again. If they keep this promise, the person they have lost will be returned to them.

It was so long ago you went there, you can’t remember who explained the rules.

For many years you’ve lived contentedly with your ex-lover, who returned after you burned their name away, and became your much-loved spouse.

When they wake each morning, they look at you with the expression of someone who’s surprised to see you. And when their back is turned, which it so often is, you must very gently touch them, to make them turn and look at you.

It’s like there’s some spark in their eyes that won’t ignite. But if you half-close your eyes when they look directly at you, you can almost see it.

Jess Richards is the author of three novels and a creative nonfiction book. She lives with her wife and two cats in West Yorkshire in the UK.