To be exact, Molly had the Glass transport us to the Underground tube station at Cheyne Walk, which was apparently one of Subway Sue’s favourite haunts. We stepped out into the shadows at the end of a platform, and no one noticed because no one pays any attention to anyone but themselves when they’re waiting for a train. Molly and I strolled through the various tunnels and platforms and finally discovered Subway Sue working her way down a crowded platform. I almost didn’t recognise her at first. An aged, bent-over woman wrapped in the rags and tatters of charity clothes, she shuffled slowly along and people drew back rather than make contact with her. She looked like just another homeless person, begging for spare change. Even Molly had to look twice before she recognised her old friend, and then hurried up to her, horrified. Subway Sue looked around sharply when Molly called her name, and then she flinched and turned away, as though she didn’t want Molly to see what had become of her.

Molly grabbed her by the shoulder and turned her firmly round, and then pulled a face and rubbed her hand vigorously against her hip to clean it. I didn’t blame her. Up close, Subway Sue smelled pretty ripe. Molly glared into Subway Sue’s grimy face.

“Jesus, Sue, what the hell happened to you?” said Molly, blunt as ever. “You look like shit.”

“Why this is hell, nor am I out of it,” said Subway Sue. “Ah, the old jokes are still the best. Hello, Molly, Edwin. What are you doing down here?”

“Looking for you,” I said.

"Well now you’ve seen me, so you can go away again,” Subway Sue said firmly.

“Not until you tell us what happened,” said Molly, just as firmly.

Subway Sue sighed, and it was a very tired sound. “My luck finally ran out. All of it.”

“But you’re a luck vampire,” I said. “Why not just steal yourself some more?”

She gave me a long, martyred look. “If it were only that simple . . . Looking like this, it’s hard to get close enough to anyone for long enough for me to drain off any serious luck. And besides . . . Oh, hell, you’re not going to go away until you’ve heard the whole sad story, are you?”

“Absolutely not,” said Molly.

“Then come with me. We can’t talk here. Not in front of civilians.”