‘Mind if I join you, then?’ I nodded, saying nothing. Being the New Me. She unslung her pack, dropped it next to mine and sat down. I lifted my mug and sipped tepid coffee, gazing out the window. I was acting so cool it was unbelievable but that’s all it was – acting. In the real world the blood was pounding in my ears and it was as much as I could do to keep from goggling at that fantastic face.

She inserted a straw in her Coke and sucked. When I risked a glance at her she dropped her eyes. I sipped more coffee, sensing her eyes on my face. I mean I could actually feel them, like lasers. After a bit she said, ‘Have you been long in London?’ Without looking at her I nodded.

‘How long?’

‘Year, year and a half,’ I lied. Well – in five minutes she’d get up and walk away and we’d never meet again.

‘That right?’ She sounded suitably impressed. ‘You’ll know you way around, then?’

I shrugged. ‘Some.’ Man of few words.

‘What d’they call you?’

‘Link.’

‘Link?’ She sucked up Coke. ‘What’s that short for?’

‘It’s short for I have another name but prefer to be known by this one.’

‘Sorry.’ She looked sorry. ‘I’m Gail.’

‘Hi, Gail. Just landed, right?’

‘Right.’

‘From? Don’t tell me if you don’t want.’

‘Glasgow.’

‘Ah-ha. Heavy scene?’

‘Aye. Stepfather.’

‘Ah – say no more.’

She looked at me. ‘You too?’

‘Uh-huh.’ The New Me. The guy who doesn’t let anybody get close and here I am, spilling my guts to the first stranger I meet because she’s got nice hair and laser eyes. I drained my mug and pushed back my chair. ‘I’ve gotta go.’

‘Why?’ She looked crestfallen. I shrugged.

‘Things to do.’ I stood up. This was costing me, but I wasn’t going to wind up watching trains for her to come back.

‘Don’t go.’ So simple. So direct. Something hot and heavy stirred in my chest. I hesitated, dangling my pack, looking down at her. ‘What d’you want, Gail?’

Her eyes held mine. ‘I’m scared, Link,’ she murmured. ‘I don’t know what to do – how to live on the street.’

‘You learn, Gail. That’s all.’ Oh yeah? sneered a voice inside my head. What about your dependence on Ginger, then – that urge to cling? It came to me that this was the first time I’d thought of Ginger since she walked in, and that was powerful medicine. Maybe we needed each other. I dropped my pack and sat down.

Daily Routine Orders 12

Oh dear, oh dear. Link the Stink’s in love and Laughing Boy Two’s up shit creek.