Stevie had a choice to make. Either she could drain the rest of that vodka bottle, along with what remained of her inhibitions, or she could call it quits and be a responsible adult, letting what had just happened slide – for now – and see what would be tomorrow and the day after that.

And what had just happened? Here she stood alone in the kitchen, night-time, and yet with midnight still far enough away to have to settle for her own company. In her own company she was already a danger to herself, even while sober.

Now a pleasantly inebriated feeling washed over her, just enough to feel...