But there were only more empty cars and more empty streets. They walked back to the station as a police car pulled in. A female officer climbed out of the passenger seat and walked towards them. She introduced herself as PC Fisher. She explained that two express trains passed every hour and within a few minutes of each other. She suggested that Bloom stay on the eastbound platform with her male colleague, and that Jameson accompany her to the opposite side.

‘Who is it you think might jump?’ asked PC Fisher as they walked through the underpass to the westbound platform. She clearly thought they were wasting her time.

Jameson was tempted to use an old Secret Service line about those in the know, but instead said, ‘A young girl and her mother. The mother, Lana, is unstable.’

‘Dispatch said you’re her psychologist?’

‘Dr Bloom’s a psychologist,’ Jameson said. He heard the grumble of the first train approaching. He looked to his right and saw the train in the distance. If it were him, and he really wanted to do this, and he thought someone would be trying to stop him, he would hide until the train was closer and then make a run for it. He scanned the platform again. The train was closer now, louder. The car park was clear. The path behind him was clear. The train rumbled louder and louder and then it blew its horn. He looked back. Jesus, it was coming fast. He stepped away from the platform edge as the train flew past. Each carriage sent a blast of air towards him, pushing the hair from his forehead and rippling the fabric of his sleeves.

He watched it speed away and finally exhaled. His eyes met Bloom’s across the train tracks and her face reflected his own sense of relief. And then, before there was time to appreciate that feeling, he heard the second train approaching.

Jameson saw the lights of the Hull-bound express in the distance. He scanned the car park and the fields either side of the platforms. If Lana was here, wouldn’t she have jumped in front of the first train? Or was she watching to see what they and their police companions would do? It would make sense. She’d have seen him walking down the platform, scanning, ready, and she’d have seen the police officers standing at their chosen midway points. They would not stop someone who was running at speed. They weren’t here to perform heroics. And how about Augusta? If she tried to intercept Lana, would she be strong enough or would she just get dragged along too?