It turned out to be a cattle truck and the driver seemed friendly enough, even if he was a bit inquisitive. “Out late, aren’t you?” he asked. Becky said she’d missed the last bus home, and she’d have to walk – the lie came easily.

He said he was on his way to a market “up country,” to somewhere Becky had never heard of. She didn’t know what “up country” really meant, but a ride to anywhere was a lot more inviting at that moment than freezing out on the moor. She could feel the warmth of the cab on her face, and “up country” sounded far enough away. They climbed in, Brighteyes curling up on the seat beside her, and at once making himself at home. The driver asked a few questions, but mostly about the dog, then fell silent and just drove on into the darkness, listening to the radio.

Cocooned in the stuffy heat of the cab both Becky and Brighteyes soon fell asleep. When Becky woke, it was early morning and they were pulling into a petrol station somewhere on the edge of a town. The driver looked across at her, as he turned off the engine. “Bit young to be out travelling on your own, aren’t you?” he said.

“I’m eighteen,” Becky said quickly, “and anyway I’m not on my own, am I? I’ve got the dog and he’s got a bite.” But she knew he was suspicious, that she hadn’t convinced him, which is why, while he was paying for his petrol, she got out of the cab with Brighteyes and ran off.

There was a coach station in the centre of town and one coach waiting, engine running, to go. Becky didn’t care where to, as long as it was far enough away from Craig. She had some money with her, but not much – just £35.75, but that was more than enough to pay for the coach fare. She didn’t like to spend the money – she knew she’d need it later – but she had no choice. If she tried hitching again there could be more questions, awkward questions. On a coach at least she’d be with lots of other people. There’d be safety in numbers, and besides mostly people didn’t talk on coaches. That’s what she thought. She was wrong.

As it was, she found herself, with Brighteyes beside her, sitting on the back seat next to the most talkative and inquisitive old lady on the planet, who immediately asked where she was going. Becky made up some complicated story about visiting her granny in the city and that her granny loved the dog like another grandchild, which was why they were going together. The more Becky elaborated and extended her story, the easier she found it. Luckily the old lady seemed to believe her. She clearly liked her too because she gave her some of her cheese sandwich, and some for Brighteyes too. Then for the next couple of hours, she rambled on about her own grandchildren who were scattered all over the world from Australia to South Africa. She showed her photographs of them and some of their letters too. And then at last, to Becky’s great relief, she dropped off to sleep.