there was a heavy vegetable stink in the air , wet earth and flowers and leaves . `` those really were n't as secure as you thought . '' then i almost dropped it and a hot flash of panic surged through me as i grabbed it to stop it crashing to the floor . every time he looked at himself he felt that stinging in his eyes . obviously shaken , kelly pulled her hand back and joined tess in a love seat on nash 's side of the room . 