'Not this one.' Even in the middle of this nightmare Koop is annoyed with Princess. When had he ever asked Hannaway to cover up anything? Before this, Carl's various problems have been relatively minor and all Koop has received is an early tip-off. It's helped keep Carl out of serious trouble although there's been no halting the gradual decline. But this is no time for an argument. Once the bedroom door is opened, everything changes forever between Koop and his younger brother, Carl. Carl Koopman, amphetamine skinny and shirtless in the freezing box-room, is on his knees on the bare wooden floor in an attitude of prayer underneath a music poster. The Farm playing Spike Island. The only light comes from a crown of fairy lights he has wrapped around his head. Koop registers the dark green cord trailing towards the electrical socket set into the stained wall. The lights are set on a pattern that sees them fade slowly before lighting up again. As the red bulbs glow Carl turns his head towards the door but doesn't seem to register there's anyone there.
