Andy McNab - Dark winter

'It's just gone a bit weird. It's fine, OK?'

The receptionist came in with the drinks and Kelly seemed to brighten. Then Dr Hughes walked into the room, with a big, warm smile. 'Hello, Kelly, it's been quite a while since we last met.' She ignored me, which was reasonable: she wasn't here for me. 'What a wonderful-looking young lady you're turning out to be.'

Kelly's cheeks turned pink as we both stood up, but at least there was a hint of a smile at the sight of Dr Hughes, and that made me feel a whole lot better.

Hughes looked as striking as ever behind her half-moon glasses. She must have been about sixty now, and still had a big grey hairdo that made her look more like an American news-reader than a psychiatrist. She was dressed in the kind of black trouser suit that you can only buy on a platinum Amex card. Chatting away with Kelly she got a few little nods in return, but then there was a huge grin, and suddenly whatever I was paying was worth it.

'Shall we go upstairs for a while, Kelly?' She opened the door and ushered her through.

Kelly turned to me. 'You're waiting here, right?'

'I'll be here.'

I sat down again as the fire door closed with a whisper.

Exactly fifty-five minutes later the door opened again and Hughes appeared. She looked back down the corridor and said, 'Yes, he's here.'

Kelly came into the room, her face looking much the same as it was on the way here. That was fine: I trusted Hughes. This wasn't about getting an instant fix. She still gave her full attention to Kelly. 'So, same time on Saturday?'

Kelly nodded as her coat went over her shoulders and we walked back out to the car. I knew from last time round that it wasn't the thing to ask how it went. Hughes had said that if she wanted me to know, she'd tell me of her own accord. She'd also told me she wouldn't discuss anything Kelly had said to her, unless it was putting the kid in danger. I just had to shut up and wait.

The sidelights flashed as I hit the key fob and we climbed in. 'The old girl hasn't changed much, has she?'

She fastened her seat-belt. 'No.'

There was no more conversation as we crawled back towards south London. I checked traser. It was ten past six. There was no way we'd be in Bromley by seven. I got out my tri-band cell phone and she looked at me suspiciously. 'I'm going to give them a call. We're not going to make it.'

No surprise who picked up the phone at the other end: Jimmy wasn't allowed anywhere near it. 'Carmen, it's Nick. The traffic is a nightmare and I don't think we're going to be back by seven.'

Kelly pointed at the mobile, shaking her head.

'Oh dear, what a pity. We went to Safeway's specially. I've spent ages preparing it. Jimmy won't be able to wait. We always have dinner at seven.'

'I'm really sorry. We'll get something on the way.' I managed to stop myself saying I'd be looking for an extra-large slice of humble pie.

'Are you going to be late every time?'

I took a deep breath. 'Depends on the traffic. Listen, we should be back by nine at the latest.'

'Can I speak to her? How is she? How was it?'

'She's fine. She's asleep in the back. I'll tell you later. I'll get her something to eat, don't worry. We're just going into a tunnel. I'd better go. 'Bye.'

I hit the red button and grinned at Kelly. 'That's going to cost you big-time.' At last I saw the faintest flicker of a smile in the light from the oncoming cars.

'Sorry I didn't want to talk to her,' she said. 'But she'd just be telling me to keep my coat on and make sure you feed me properly.'

'I think you're being a bit unfair. She might have wanted to discuss something like the humanitarian crisis in Iraq.'

Kelly's smile broadened and I felt my own spirits lift. 'Talking of food, how about that McRib?'

It wasn't long before we were in line at the crowded McDonald's on the Wandsworth roundabout. It was full of people like us who'd just thrown in their hands at the end of the day instead of going home and cooking. After taking for ever to get to the counter, we couldn't be arsed waiting even longer for a new batch of McRibs so both opted for the quarter-pounder meal and large fries. Kelly also wanted a milkshake. She went off to grab a table where she'd spotted some people just leaving, and I followed with the tray.

We shovelled fries into our mouths as hyperactive kids piled past us into the play area. Kelly had always been a streak of piss, and had got even skinnier the last few times I'd seen her. I didn't know where she put it all.

She dipped her burger in extra ketchup and it was soon heading for her mouth, but she suddenly stopped, staring at the bun. 'Dr Hughes says being honest with yourself is the key to recovery.'

'Does she? I guess that's right. It's probably the key to everything.'

Eyes still downcast, she shifted slightly on the plastic bench. 'Nick, you want to know some stuff I told her today?'

I nodded, but braced myself. Even if it was part of her therapy, I didn't want to hear her saying she hated me.

'Did you ever mess with drugs when you were young?'

I shook my head. 'Only alcohol. I never fancied the other stuff. Why? You been hitting the wacky-baccy?'

She gave me one of her really exasperated smiles. 'Pot? Get out of here!' Her face clouded again. 'No. Something else. You heard of Vicodin?'

'Painkiller? Matthew Perry?'

'I'm impressed. OK, look. No judgements, OK? No sermons?'

I shook my head, if only to release the steam building up in it.

'And not a word to Granny and Grandpa. Josh, well, I'll tell him myself, if the time seems right.'

'Whatever you want.'

She took a slurp of milkshake with her eyes angled up at the TV, as if gathering her thoughts, then she looked back at me with her piercing blue eyes. 'OK, here's the thing. At my high school, it's easier to get Vicodin than children's Tylenol. Whoever's got them shares them around.'

'Where do you get them? Are there dealers at school?' Adults taking this shit was one thing, dealers getting to kids was another. Those people deserved the heavy end of a sledgehammer. I could feel the skin on my face start to prickle, but I was determined not to let her see it.

'No, my friend Vronnie, remember? Last fall, her boyfriend had his wisdom teeth out. He was prescribed a lot more Vikes than it turned out he needed, so he gave her the leftovers for her migraines. That's how it starts.'

She looked around the room. 'Vicodin numbs you to the pain and soon that numb feeling is something you want again. We all know it's addictive, because we see it on TV. Melanie Griffith and Matthew Perry had to go into rehab for it. We know Eminem's got problems. But Vikes do the job, that's the problem. My friends and I are always stressed about grades and getting into college. We stay up all night doing homework or cramming. Vikes give you a high, release the stress. And before you say anything, Nick, I'm not in with the wrong crowd.' She gave a hollow laugh. 'It's the medication of choice for kids whose moms take Valium to relax.'

She put on a weird face. 'This is Vronnie's mom, OK?"Doctor?"' Her voice rose an octave and her hand flew up to her forehead. '"Doctor, I just have to have something for my nerves. My Amex has gone into hyperspace and my ex-husband doesn't understand me…"' Her voice went deeper. '"Sure, Mrs Housewife, I've got just the thing. Here's a hundred good pills."' She gave a sigh. 'See? It's that easy. Then Vronnie steals the pills from her mom.'

'Hang on, Kelly, you're going to have to rewind a bit. When did you start taking them?'

She shrugged. 'About six months ago. Vronnie and me were talking about stuff, like her parents are divorced and her dad drinks way too much, and it's been horrible for her. I told her about Mom and Dad and Aida, and then about you and Josh, and she was like, "Whoa!" At least she still lives in the same house and her dad's still alive. Just.'