Chapter 11: DOWNTIME

Waking in a strange bed was nothing new for me, but when I'd woke the following afternoon I instantly knew where I was and when I listened hard, I'd heard nothing. My bleary eyes strained and squinted to focus as a pounding headache reminded me of the excess I had subjected my body to. Not only was I hungover, but also drenched in sweat and I noticed the smell of alcohol hung in the air. It was oozing from my every pore.

I dragged myself into the shower and after twenty minutes of staring at the marble tiles and chrome fittings in the cubicle, with the water beating me back to life I stepped out. When I caught sight of myself in front of the vanity mirror, I was so shocked I cringed.

Staring back at me was the haggard face of a tired man. At thirty-eight there was no doubt I had burned the candle at both ends and in the middle for almost twenty years, and it had begun to show. Lines around my eyes and mouth were more defined, and my eyes looked smaller... sunken.