A knock at the door. We all flinch, then look at each other. Mum checks through the peephole and I see her shoulders relax. She unbolts both locks and opens the door a fraction.
'Evening,' says the paladin. 'You've got a light leak on your back window.'
'Oh do we? I'll get that seen to, officer.'
'See that you do. Have a good night.'
'Stay safe.'
Mum closes the door, locks it, then has us help her black out the kitchen window. A bit of the curtain has come away from the seals at the side. We tape it back down then go back to the living room.
A little past dark, and the howling begins. I think we are all reminded of how slim the wall between life and death is. A sliver of light.
Paddy Dobson
8th March 2022