Billy stood at the top staring at the curve of road stretching down and round past the Standard offices, Dynamic Earth and the parliament. Police officers were congregating at various stages on the slope, milling about, swapping jokes and banter. Billy stared at the police ROAD CLOSED sign. Cars approached the roundabout next to him, slowed as they took in the sign, then circled and headed back the way they had come. He’d only passed out for a few seconds. Same as in the toilets. What was happening to him? He came round on the floor with Rose over him, her hefty cleavage in his line of sight, thick perfume filling his nose. ‘I’m fine,’ he said, before she’d had a chance to speak. He tried to pick himself up as calmly as possible, managed to get to a chair, fingers tight on the blue plastic. ‘Must’ve had a dodgy pint last night,’ he said. Rose stared at him, compassion in her eyes. ‘Go home and get some rest. Call me when you feel better.’ He hadn’t gone home. He needed fresh air, time and space to think.
