The New Sofa

Laurence loved his new sofa. It had been pricey but it was heavenly to sit in.

The only downside was its tendency to eat up things that fell out of his pocket. A pound coin here, a pen there... insignificant things, admittedly, but when his new mobile phone slipped down the side, he drove himself frantic trying to retrieve it. He just about stopped short of cutting into the leather.

It was only when he watched his girlfriend being sucked inside the upholstery, her hands clawing at the air, her screams bloodcurdling, that he realised this was no ordinary sofa.

Jonathan Hill Merits