Page 13 of A Night with Damien Spur

Chapter 4

Early morning, and Damien found himself fully dressed lying on the bathroom floor.

He always woke at the same time no matter what state he was in. It must have been his boarding-school drill.

7 a.m., eyes wide open, brush teeth, a cold shower, dressed and ready for porridge at 8 a.m.

‘Good training,’ his mother had said. ‘Rigorous discipline will keep you on track.’

If only she knew.

Come on, pull yourself together, said the Voice.

Damien lifted himself up and staggered to the basin.

Brush teeth.

Damien glanced at his face in the mirror.

He noticed that his left cheek was swollen.

He couldn’t recall having a fight. Then it came to him. He had woken up at 4 a.m. and had gone to the bathroom feeling dizzy and nauseous.

He must have fainted, banged his face on the black and white tiled floor.

Shower next. Cold.

And then breakfast.

Earl Grey tea with a spoon of acacia honey, porridge made with water, followed by apricot jam on toast.

He switched on the radio. Sunday Worship, BBC 4.

Morning has broken, like the first morning. Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird…Damien loved to sing along with the choir.

Better now?said the Voice.You see, Mummy was right. A strict morning routine sets you up for the day. Such a pity it all goes to pot at night.

‘Aren’t you funny? Quick as a whippet.’

Angus called. The ringtone jangled Damien’s nerves. ‘Are you coming this evening?’

‘Where to?’ Damien poured himself another cup of tea.

‘The Olga Krilova exhibition at the White Space.’

‘Oh! I forgot about it.’

‘Don’t you keep a diary?’

‘Yes. But only for things I need to remember.’

Damien took a sip of tea. ‘And to be honest I’m not really keen on the artist. I’ve seen her work in a gallery in Paris.’

Watch it. Don’t say anything you might regret, saidthe Voice.Bad karma.

Damien didn’t care. He was ready to let rip.

‘I find her art miserable and nihilistic.’ He stabbed the butter and spread it on a second piece of toast. ‘She could make youlose the will to live. Absolutely depressing! How could anyone want to live with those grim paintings? I can’t understand for the life of me why she’s so famous.’

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