‘Some of the “residents” like to burn those brown sticks. Sickening,’ he says, as we pass by a room where the aroma is particularly pungent. I inhale deeply. It’s calming.

‘Here you go,’ he says, as he pushes open a door that leads into a dark low-ceilinged room with no window.

‘Do you have any rooms with a window?’ I ask, feeling like I might pass out.

‘You looking for a room with a view?’ he says, sniggering like a little girl.

‘Yes. I can pay.’

‘Sorry, no can do, this is all we have available at the moment, but if anything else comes up, I’ll upgrade you.’

‘How much?’

‘Thirty-five a night.’

‘For this shithole?’

‘Be my guest,’ he says, holding the door open. ‘No one’s forcing you. You can earn a whack of a lot more than that in one evening here.’

‘Just want somewhere to stay, is all.’

‘You hiding from someone?’

‘Look, just take the money,’ and I take a wad of tens and count them out. ‘There’s seventy. That’s enough for two nights, right?’

‘I can’t guarantee this room will be free in two nights’ time. It’s a very popular establishment, you know.’

‘I’m sure it is,’ I say. ‘Thank you for showing me to my room. Can I have a key?’

He drops a heavy wooden keyring with a tiny rusted key into my hand.

‘Is this the only one?’

‘Of course not. The establishment has to have a spare in case you lose it.’

‘Can I pay extra for the spare?’

His eyes narrow and he seems to chew on his tongue as he sucks in air. The impression of Preppy Boy has completely disappeared and been replaced by something darker, older, more menacing. ‘I don’t want anyone following you here. If I see anyone looking for you, there’ll be a much bigger price to pay.’

He closes the door. I lock the door and pick up the rickety fake-mahogany chair sitting in the corner of the room and jam it underneath the handle. I’m a dab hand at this particular manoeuvre. I lie back on the bed and stare at the maze of cracks criss-crossing the ceiling.

The bed cover is nylon and as I pull it back I see the sheets are the same, the same scratchy sweaty stuff, and they’re stained. I jump off the bed, feeling tainted. I must go to the shops and do some damage on that card before it’s stopped, buy some of those incense sticks, booze, food, sheets. This is no different from home, I’ve been doing this for years, only difference is I won’t have her screaming shit at me and staring at me in that way.