Yes, this is the sensible course of action, he needs to leave, he can see that now, and quick, before he loses it or makes a tit of himself. Or worse, says something he will regret. It was stupid to come. Absolutely crazy. He has no idea what he was thinking. He wasn’t thinking, was he? He is drunk, that’s the problem. He is a bloody stupid drunk.

‘We don’t want to have to call security,’ the slender woman says, sounding much darker, almost threatening.

His world is spinning. He has no idea how to stop and get off. ‘I don’t think I’m very well,’ he says.

The slender woman places a hand on his elbow and begins to lead him towards the swing doors. ‘You’ll need to report to triage in A&E.’ Her tone has changed completely. She knows I’m drunk, he thinks. She despises me for it and I don’t blame her. I despise myself.

She waits with him until the lift arrives. His face burns all the way down to the ground floor. What a fool! What a bloody stupid idiot! He makes his way back to his car and slumps into the driver’s seat. When he comes to someone is knocking on the driver’s side window.

He blinks, shaking himself awake and turning his head to the window sees a hefty man in uniform peering in.

‘Time to go home, mate.’

Chapter 24

Honor