Nailful

Sovey rushed inside and dashed a couple of nailsful of water into the burning ventilator, but to no purpose.

She was clawing at his undershirt, ripping the thin cotton and piercing his skin with her nails, digging into the flesh and gouging out crescent slivers of skin and blood, picking him apart, nailful by nailful.

The man smiled, took out his snuff box and drew in a few nailfuls.

Mercedes moved away from Jack and gripping Rosa's hand – her own nails were too short – she took a pinch and inhaled it. Rosa kissed Mercedes on the lips then took a further nailful and offered it to Jack who shook his head.