Lying in bed reading, it’s late. I’ve been waiting up, enjoying the still beauty of my room. I love these evenings alone, content in this energy, as I anticipating the shift to the exuberance of my daughter returning home from a night out. The cat is curled at my feet, a SPRAY of viburnum stems cut earlier lends her elegance to the room. Into this quiet comes the SOUND of the front door opening.

“Hi Mama” she calls, as she moves into the room, plopping herself next to me, telling me about her evening, asking about mine. Ease, side by side. This is a perfect end to a perfect day.

As we talk, an acrid scent emanates in the air. So strong it actually STUNG my eyes. Fear. We suspect someone is outside in the dark by the open window. Someone watching, listening. Unconcerned about their telltale weed. We freeze, go silent as the smell becomes stronger.

And then we both burst into laughter, realizing what has caused the smell. We aren’t the only things having a bout of fear – clearly a SKUNK under threat has released its spray. I get up to close the window, she goes to brush her teeth.

Heather