A long winded apology

Mark stood in the centre of the main living space, the small entrance hall opening up into a conjoined kitchen and lounge area, just like his own apartment. He noted that his place had been updated more recently, the taps and fittings all less modern but the decor and lighting seemed to give this place a much more comfortable and sophisticated feel. The space was lit by a couple of lamps, possibly antiques, tastefully placed beside indoor plants, ferns perhaps... their long fronds casting intriguing shadows on the nearby walls. There were also a few tea light candles lined along the mantle above the fireplace providing little illumination but adding a welcoming glow to the lounge end of the room.

He noted that the TV, a modern but sensibly sized panel was on, and what appeared to be a foreign film was playing. The furniture all looked expensive, no Ikea here, the velvety sofa designed in a curved shape that suited the general style of the building perfectly. It was then Mark noticed the dog sitting silently on a little mat beside the sofa. It was a small thing, a scotch terrier perhaps - its blue-grey coat well trimmed and a distinguished looking beard bristling from it's muzzle.

"Hey there little one..." Mark whispered towards it, leaning down slightly.

The woman's voice came instantly "Don't, you'll only encourage him." she said sharply as she walked past Mark into the kitchen, a hint of her perfume wafting over him, clouding his thoughts.

"Look," Mark began, "I'm really sorry I disturbed you... I had a few drinks tonight and got the doors mixed up. I should let you get back to your..." Mark trailed off. He had turned back to look at the TV as he spoke and become distracted by the screen which now displayed a rather graphic sex scene - tasteful, sure but the amount of flesh on show was hard to ignore. The sound of clinking glasses brought Mark's attention back to his host who was filling two tumblers with liberal splashes of some kind of liquor.

"Nonsense." she declared. "You're here now, and I've seen that before..." she stepped towards him, thrusting a glass at him as she passed before gesturing towards the sofa. "Sit, have a drink... tell me about yourself." she muted the sound on the TV but left the film running, thankfully the actors were clothed again at least.

Mark moved towards the sofa, eyeing the dog as he passed but it ignored him, its eyes fixed upon his owner as he sat perfectly quiet and still. Mark perched himself on the edge of the sofa and sniffed at his drink, the powerfully alcoholic aroma unfamiliar to him.

The woman sat in an ornate armchair diagonally opposite Mark and eyed him curiously, her eyes shining from behind her glasses. "Soooo?" she prompted him.

"Oh, uhh... I'm Mark, from upstairs. Number nine." he said, fumbling over his words slightly.

"A pleasure to meet you Mark." the woman replied, gracing him with a tight lipped smile, "Angela." She raised her glass to her lips. "To new friends." she toasted, giving Mark a nod.

"New friends." he repeated, raising his own drink in cheers. He threw back half the glass and immediately began to cough and splutter. He still had no idea what it was but boy did it burn going down, immediately making him feel queasy in the stomach. He struggled for a few moments before he recovered slightly, looking to Angela with tears in his eyes. The woman seemed fine, but she did seem concerned for him, asking, "Are you alright my dear boy?" she tipped her glass towards him. "Absinthe," she explained, "apologies, I really should have warned you."