‘Honestly?’ Alice said. ‘This sounds weird, but I searched or cool places to live and found Stockton Heath, so I came here.’

Mandy laughed. ‘That’s as good a reason as any.’

When they returned to the terrace another person had joined the group. He was tall and thin and had long, floppy hair and a soft smile. He was standing next to Nick, and as they approached, Nick glanced at her and said something to the new guy.

‘Alice,’ he said. ‘I’d like to introduce you to someone. A friend from work.’

The new guy smiled and held out his hand.

‘Hi,’ he said. ‘Alice?’

‘Yes.’ She shook his hand. ‘What’s your name?’

‘I’m Tom,’ he said. ‘Tom Sark.’

Sunday, 29 August 2021

Roland

It was thirty-five minutes past six, and he had missed his interview.

He had not met the guy who gave people like him second chances. He had not explained how he had made mistakes, but he understood them and was determined not to make them again. He had not got to say that he knew it wouldn’t be easy, but he was going to give it everything he had and that was the best he or anyone could do.

Instead, he was in the Lake District, not too far from the house Tom and Alice had rented, The app on his phone told him he had a little under half an hour to go.

Thirty minutes until he’d find out if he’d wasted his interview for nothing. He was worried he’d blown his chances for good. The guy from the agency had sounded pretty pissed off when he called to say he wouldn’t make it.

I’m sorry. Something came up. A family emergency.

It came up thirty minutes before your interview?

It’s been bubbling away for a while, but yes. It came to a head right now.

Fine, the guy said. I’ll let them know.

I don’t want to lose the opportunity, Roland replied. Can I postpone? Maybe tomorrow?

I’ll ask.

It had been obvious what the guy was thinking from the tone of his voice. Yeah, right. I’m going to go out on a limb for some unreliable junkie? No way, mate.

He’d decided to tackle it straight on. There was no other way.

Look, he said. I know this is bad and I know what it looks like. It looks like I’m an addict who’s off trying to score when I should be at this interview, so I’m making up some bullshit about a family emergency. But that’s not what’s happening. If you don’t believe me, I get it. But for the record – I’m gutted to have to do this, but the situation I have to deal with is real. And I want you to know that.

The guy paused before he answered. OK, we’ll see. He hadn’t sounded convinced.