For One Night Only.

It is over forty years since I lived here, at first in the miners' hostel over there: I had a single room with a single bed, just across the tracks from the college. Tonight I am staying in the Huntly hotel, which has had a makeover into a motel since my night of singing karaoke songs. The bearded owner helps me carry my bags in the driving rain, to Room 1, first floor. I have a swipe card to open all the doors: I have to ring the owner later about noise. 'I'll go and sort it out for you, ' he says. The heater is on; the double bed is just right. In the morning I tick 'send updates', 'liked'. -28 May,2016.