i love the form and balance of this story - the two families naturally set against each other, but somehow kept stable and toeing the line by the gravity and assertiveness of millicent and dudley's odd-couple relationship.
wonderful combative confident millicent and a dudley who's surprisingly attractive in his intelligence and sensitivity. i especially loved this bit:
"No matter how many times I try to explain it, I know you're just seeing your dad doing his best over small talk to act like he hasn't failed you. It won't be like that with them."
that weird thing of beginning to wake up to other people's families, after spending so long thinking that your own family are the pattern. that really struck a chord with me.