The Singing Detective

Janice is starting to peel. She is leaving flakes of skin everywhere she goes.

It reminds me of the time I tried to convince my mum I couldn’t go to school because I had leprosy. I covered myself with jam and cornflakes and shook the cat’s bell. It didn’t work. She pulled my nose until it hurt: “There’s nothing coming off – it’s not leprosy – it must be acne. Get to school!”

Janice’s skin has gone patchy. She’s like a map of Bolton town centre – only not as useful.