30
Gary limped up the hotel staircase to David’s room, Marianne close behind. It was almost pitch black inside the building, a little light seeping in from flickering bonfires outside. Muted celebrations continued elsewhere in the compound – full bellies having restored a little optimism – but this foul-smelling ruin of a building was largely a positivity-free zone.
David took an age to come to the door. Even then he didn’t open it fully. ‘What do you want?’
‘To talk to you,’ Marianne said.
Still nothing.
‘I’ve brought you some food,’ she said after a few seconds had passed. He let them in.
‘I’m really not in the mood,’ David said.
‘None of us are, but we need to talk.’
Resigned, he gestured for them to sit down.
‘We spoke to Dominic,’ Marianne explained.
‘And?’
‘And he’s backin
