The sun was blinding, streaming straight in, light from above, light from below. It was white light. It pounded against me, making my head throb and ache. There was the smell of ozone, dizzyingly clean, and I remembered we were at Aunty May’s. I felt Patrick’s big strong hand on the small of my back. I opened my eyes and looked up into his. I felt my pupils contract, everything come into focus. He was laughing down at me. Leaning over me, his weight on one elbow, his shoulder muscles bulging. His old self. And I found myself dragged towards him, I could smell the tang of him, as he sank his teeth into my shoulder. He moved his hand between my legs, pressing hard, so it almost hurt, but at the same time he was lifting my hair tenderly with his other hand and kissing my neck under my ear. ‘Patrick.’ I tried to push him away, surprised by how very strong his hold was. ‘Please . . .’ ‘Ssshh.’ He clutched me tighter, and I gave in.
