The pod turned down another street, then another and another. This one was his. Mumbling apologies at glaring fellow-travellers, he squeezed and bumped his way to the exit, so that by the time the pod pulled away from outside his house, he was already at the door.

Ten minutes later, Albert was seated across from Theo at the kitchen table, wondering how best to proceed. She saved him the effort. ‘What’s biting yer, Mac?’

‘Biting? Oh yes, so what I need to tell you is—’

‘Well, then stop tellin’ me bout tellin’ me an’ start tellin’ me, then!’

He paused for a moment, trying to digest the sentence. Had she meant tell her or—oh, never mind!

‘Theo, I’m afraid we—I—have a problem.’

‘Spill ’em beans, Mac!’

‘Someone has discovered that you’re here. And that someone wants me to do something for them or they’ll get me into trouble. Only there are other people who don’t like that I’m doing this and so—you know—it might be best if—if—’

‘If I scram?’

‘Well—yes. I mean—for both of us, you know?’

‘’Sall right, Mac. I get it.’

He looked at her, staring solemnly up at him, and felt he should say something. ‘Theo—’

‘Look, Mac, yer don’ need to say nothin’. Way I see it, you did me a good turn, an’ it’s got you in trouble, an’ I don’ want yer to get in no more on my account, see? So I’ll just be off, then.’

She looked down at the pyjamas she was still wearing, and grinned at him. ‘Right after I get into my ol’ togs, all right?’

Before he could answer, she’d left the room. He sat there and watched her go. A few minutes later she returned, now clad in her cap and flak jacket again. ‘Feels much better already, an’ how! Those things o’ yours, they’re comfy an’ all, but they don’ feel like clothes, know what I mean?’

He looked her straight in the eye. ‘You rushed off before I could finish. Where will you go?’

‘Oh, somewhere.’

‘Look, Theo, it’s really not safe for you here. I mean, in the Dome. I really think you should go home.’

‘Well then, it’s a good thing it don’t matter what you think, innit?’

‘You mean you won’t go back home?’

‘Course I won’t,’ said the girl scornfully.

‘Why not?’

‘None o’ yer business!’

‘But then where will you go?’

‘Dunno. Look, Mac, don’ yer think yer got enough of yer own problems without worryin’ bout mine?’

‘Yes, but—’

‘But nothin’! Yer want me to go, right? ‘

‘Well—’

She grinned at him again. ‘Yer worry too much, Mac, anyone ever told yer that?’

‘Look, Theo—’

‘Tell yer what—jus’ to show yer I appreciate what yer done, Imma do something fer you, all right?’

‘I beg your pardon?’