'Facts from the early days of marriage' by K R Reeve

1. In mammals, an egg begins to differentiate approximately 7 days after fertilisation.  It is then known as a blastocyst.  The mother’s immune system must modulate itself in order for implantation to occur and the pregnancy to continue.
   
   
2. You were always stroppy, according to your mother.  I don’t know what’s wrong with you.  You came out fighting everyone.  It’s because Mars is in your ascendant, she says.  So aggressive.
   
   
3. In your new town, there is a hospital without an emergency department.  Minor injuries only: fractures, bites and burns.  The nearest hospital with facilities is 11 miles away.  The bus will take an hour and 20 minutes, but not on Sundays.
   
   
4. You do not have a fracture, a bite or a burn, but you are - it turns out - aggressive.  And when your immune system does not modulate itself, it is because of 3 that you pass 1 standing on the pavement, waiting for a taxi.  It is a yellow snotty lump in a gush of blood.  You wear it home and put it in a take-away carton, in case anyone cares.