i smelled you and some tart halfway up the stairs . i let his words glide over me , as warm and soothing as a blanket . actually , i mostly just do , you know , stray dogs and road safety ... ' you were there , you had the hat , you did the job . he smelled like cut wood and rain and something very male . and there beyond them is my sister 's eldest son ! '' before he knew it , he was doubling over with tears streaming out of his eyes . 