I wish you'd stop talking. I wish you'd stop prying and trying to find things out. I wish you were dead - no, I don't mean that. It was silly and unkind, and I shouldn't have said it. But I do wish you'd stop talking.

More from Brief Encounter

• Cold?
• Surely you're not encouraging me to talk shop.
• What exciting lives we lead.
• It was Richard III who said 'My kingdom for a horse,' wasn't it?
• And then I did see his face. It was rather a nice face.
• I might be a musician.