His shift was dawdling along. Even the two American sailors on shore leave were having a quiet night. No hookers arriving by taxi and looking wonderfully salacious in the lift just before the door closed. A couple of nights ago one of these hookers had been so beautiful that it took his breath away. It was summer. The end of February. Warm rain fell down in the night outside the small motel in Potts Point.
Then Alice walked into the reception area, wet from the rain and looking lost. She stared at him her eyes red-rimmed from drugs or crying or both but blue like the sea at Bondi. She wore a black bra under her red t-shirt, Nadan could see the outline of her breasts.
She said rapidly, ‘I need some help. I’m in trouble. I don’t have any money until tomorrow. I can pay you back tomorrow. J
