My New Talent (wtf)

It's like oversleeping, but worse. I know, the moment I woke, something's wrong.

Even through my eyelids, I can tell the light is different somehow. So are the sheets.

Opening my eyes doesn't help. The room is all wrong.

I wasn't even drinking last night.

I twist round, and almost scream, clamping a hand over my mouth. Who the fuck is that?! He snorts and shifts. I scramble away, out of bed. I pull on a robe from the back of the door and creep out...

Since when do I have a landing??

I trip on some toys. Oh noooo...

It's too spacious. There are stairs. Family photos line the wall, and I'm in them! The man from the bed hugs a smiling version of me with two small boys I don't recognise.

They're in the lounge watching cartoons. Half-eaten bowls of cereal are perched on the sofa.

I rake my fingers over my scalp, pushing them deep into my hair.

"Hey Mum," says one.

"I'm not your mum!" I snap.

He stares. I stare back. His Spider-man pyjamas are grubby with coco pops and spilt milk.

His face looks weird, like someone pressed Pause just as he was about to speak.

I waggle my hand in front of his face to see if he reacts (but also to check if I can, in fact, still waggle it). That's when I catch sight of the suited, white-haired gentlemen with a trimmed beard, watching me.

"There appears to have been a mix-up, Ms Welch."

I goggle at him.

"You've developed the ability to take other people's memories," he continues. "Overnight. Quite astonishing. Alarming for you, I imagine. Not to worry. We'll help you put it right. But first, I want to discuss with you an Opportunity. Your newfound ability could be very helpful to law enforcement."