I phoned my father when I arrived.
He said ‘Your mum’s just round at Aunty El’s’ in such a way that I knew she wasn’t; that she’d left the room with her hand to her mouth when he’d first said hullo, love, and I felt so sorry for us all.
The hotel room was cool and masculine. I drew back the curtains and looked out. The cityscape glittered through two big windows, like a part of som ... (read more)