Emma looked out from under the shelter of the bus stop, her face shrouded by smoke as she lifted the cigarette from her lips and the glow of its tip gently faded. The smoke blew up around her and swirled away into the night. Rain fell into the dark street so hard and fast, and as she watched it she felt as if the rain was falling in another world, so far away from the dry stillness she resided in. And so she stood, looking out into the road, her heart racing at each sight of a car’s approaching headlights. But so far there was no sign of the car she was waiting for. He had told her that she should look for a silver Escort, “R reg” he had said. He had bought a new car for the occasion, using a false name and address. He had driven all the way to Newcastle and paid for it in cash. He had everything covered, he had said, he wasn’t going to let her slip through his fingers. So each time a car came past she squinted in the dark trying to make out the first letter of its registration plate... (read more)