‘Better,’ she said to the empty room, or perhaps to Bryan Ferry, whose voice was crooning out of the cassette player. Replacing the tongs on the dressing table, she picked up her vodka and Coke and took a sip. ‘Much better,’ she said, and allowed herself an indulgent sway to ‘More than This’. She whipped up a can of hairspray from the dresser and shook it, then shut her eyes as she applied it liberally. The smell was overpowering, almost intoxicating. ‘Gah!’ she exclaimed. Once the spray cloud had dispersed and she’d taken another gulp of vodka, she opened her eyes wide. ‘Matthew!’ Her son’s reflection in the mirror took her by surprise. She felt embarrassed by his intrusion into her private, dreamy moment and turned on her stool, feeling annoyed. ‘You’re not a baby any more – you should knock before coming in.’ He frowned, puzzled. ‘Why?’ ‘Because. Now, what do you want?’ ‘Are you going out?’ ‘Come here.’ She beckoned, holding out both hands.
What do You think about Blackwater (DI Nick Lowry)?
