Evelyn knew right away that it was Frank speaking, but it didn’t really sound like him because usually Frank’s voice was nice and clear, and he never mumbled like so many other people, but now it was slurry and husky and he sounded almost drunk. Matter of fact, she felt that way too. Drunk and nauseated, too, and maybe it was time she opened her eyes and woke up properly, because obviously Frank was sick and needed her, and anyway, there was something wrong with their bed. It reminded her of the time someone said they should put a board under their mattress because Frank’s back had been playing up, but the first time she lay down on the bed she let out a shriek, and there never was a second time because she had it taken out, and Frank’s back got better just the same. ‘Oh my God,’ Frank said again. ‘Stop with the “Oh my Godding”,’ Evelyn told him. Except her voice sounded strange, too. Open your eyes, she told herself, but her lids felt too heavy. And then she managed it.
