But shouldn’t I do more research? Those syringes are the worst. And the vials haven’t even been kept in a fridge. But Rex used this place and said it was good …

The big Indian snatched the money, and Charlie shoved the vials and syringes inside her bag.

‘I can take you in the back and show you how to inject,’ he said.

‘I can handle that,’ Charlie said, eyes welling as she scooped Patrick into her arms. ‘Happy Christmas.’

72 SISTER MIRACULOUS

Last year we had Christmas dinner at Vern and Rosie’s. Their youngest was home on shore leave. Ed got tipsy on Vern’s homemade wine and dozed off, so I went to bed with Harry and we had sex and fell asleep in each other’s arms. One year later, Harry’s gone. I can’t see through tears and everyone in this shitty casino is staring at me.

‘Excuse me,’ an elderly woman said, struggling to keep up as Charlie dragged Patrick past the Janssen Riverboat’s poker room.

Trusting your life to crappy syringes sold by a guy in a Santa hat. You should ditch the vials in the nearest trash can so you don’t get tempted to use them next time your mood tanks.

But I just paid three hundred grand for them …

Patrick looked back as the woman got closer. Orthopaedic shoes, herringbone skirt and wispy grey hair.

‘I’m begging you not to use the one-one-seven,’ the woman yelled. ‘I’m Sister Miraculous. May I please talk to you?’

Charlie stopped, turned and roared so loud it made Patrick jump. ‘Why are you following me? Leave me alone.’

‘I saw you at the watch stall,’ Sister Miraculous explained as she rattled a bundle of small leaflets entitled God, Not Mods. ‘I know what they sell there. I’ve told the police many times, but they don’t act.’

‘Believe me, sister,’ Charlie said, shaking her head and starting to walk again. ‘There’s no god. My life is proof of that.’

‘You’re hurting my arm, Charlie,’ Patrick whined, having to run to keep pace.

There were three steps where the casino met the hotel lobby. Charlie took the first two in one stride, then clumsily kicked her own heel and wound up flat on her face.

‘Why are you crazy?’ Patrick demanded, ripping his hand free and scowling.

Charlie tried to get up, but her legs weren’t following orders. A burly casino security officer closed on the scene as Sister Miraculous urged Charlie to stay still and calm down.

‘Take a few deep breaths,’ Miraculous urged, kneeling on the carpet beside Charlie and pulling a man-sized Kleenex out of her sleeve.

‘Sister, you’ve been told you can’t hand out leaflets on casino property,’ the security guard boomed, closing in.

‘Do I look like I’m handing out leaflets?’ Miraculous asked. ‘This girl is distressed.’