I rinsed the teacup twice under the warm kitchen tap before placing it on the top rack of the dishwasher.

The dark residue dissolved into the soapy water, leaving no trace on the white ceramic.

By eight the next morning, my head felt heavy, with a dull ache pulsing steadily behind my eyes.

I walked into the study to look for the digital thermometer we usually kept in the side desk drawer.

Daniel was standing near the tall floor-to-ceiling window, buttoning the cuffs of his light grey shirt.

He picked up his gold wristwatch from the mahogany desk and fastened the leather strap around his wrist.