‘I have to try.’ Marion’s resolve was unwavering.

‘OK. See you soon, love.’

‘Ta. See you there.’ Marion hung up, leaving Barbara standing in her hallway holding the phone to her ear for a moment longer than necessary. She didn’t believe for a minute that the body on the common was that of Kim, but she could tell how upset her friend was and if it would help to put her mind at rest, the trip out would be worth it.

Barbara put down the phone and went back into her living room to discover that Bramble had pushed her plate off the side table and was greedily tucking in to her cheese sandwich.

With her hands on her wide hips she shook her head and rolled her eyes.

‘Whatever am I going to do with you?’

Half an hour later, Barbara had filled up the cats’ water bowl and made sure the windows were secure and the house was locked. Stepping out into the June sunshine, she was pleasantly surprised when a warm breeze wafted down her street.

Barbara lived at Number 15, Nuns Way, close to Campkin Road, on the northern side of the city. The area was rundown and infamous for the gangs that congregated on the streets. She and Geoff had lived there for many years and while he was alive she’d always felt safe, but as old age was beginning to set in, Barbara no longer felt so confident walking through the streets. The youths were often sitting in their cars, with their engines running and music blaring. It made her feel uneasy, and that sunny Friday afternoon was no different.

She felt the beads of sweat gather at the nape of her neck when she passed a group of young Asian boys, who were all talking loudly, swearing, and smoking something she didn’t recognise as tobacco. Barbara didn’t think of herself as someone who was prejudiced, but she couldn’t help feeling nervous as she went by, her head down, looking at the pavement. Of course, none of the boys did or said anything, but her pace quickened until she was sure she was far enough away from them.

By the time she arrived at the bus stop on Arbury Road, she was hot and breathless. Standing beneath the shelter, in the piddling amount of shade it offered, she tried to fan herself with her clammy hand. When she caught sight of the gold wedding ring on her finger she felt a pang of sadness. They had told her it would get easier, but the pain of losing her husband was still very much alive.

Thankfully, it didn’t take long for the Stagecoach bus to show up. She got her bus pass out of her worn beige handbag and flashed it at the driver before taking her seat. She was grateful that there were some benefits to getting old.