Chapter 4: Stella
A hangover cure was desperately needed by the morning.
Mike felt like something had died in his mouth. Stephen point-blank refused to come within range until he’d gargled half a bottle of mouthwash, and even then only tolerated a peck on the cheek, citing a headache that was threatening to dissolve his eyeballs.
“Mam’s?”
“God, yes.”
They had to get a taxi, Stephen unable and Mike unwilling to fetch the car from the hotel just yet. The cabbie took one look at them, chortled, and said nothing for the entire journey. Stephen tipped him extra, just for that grace.
Thankfully, Mike’s mam was a proper Yorkshire mam. She opened the door, snapped, “Oh for goodness’ sake, Stephen, look at you!” and hustled him right inside to be fed.
Skinny people were an insult to Stella P
