He tried to walk the streets of the town, so that time would pass more quickly. There were people queuing outside a fish and chip shop, and a man being sick in the gutter. The further he strayed from the phone box, the more afraid he became, as if the safe part of himself still remained there, waiting for Maureen. The hills were terrible deep giants impinging on the night sky. A gang of young men were striding into the road, shouting at cars and throwing beer cans. Harold cowered in the shadows, afraid of being seen. He was going home, and he didn’t know how he would tell people that he didn’t make it, but it didn’t matter. It was an insane idea, and he needed to stop. If he wrote another letter, Queenie would understand.

He phoned Maureen and reversed the charges. “It’s me again.”

She didn’t reply. She gave a gulping noise. He had to say, “It’s Harold.”

“Yes.” She gulped again.

“Shall I phone later?”

“No.” She paused and then she said slowly, “Rex is here. We’ve looked at the map. We made a few calls. He has been on his computer. We even got out your Motorist’s Guide to Great Britain.” She still sounded not right. Her words came light against his ear, as if she had run a long way and was struggling to settle her breath. Harold had to press the phone against his ear to hear her properly.

“Will you say hello to Rex?”

At this she gave a laugh, a short fluttery one. “He says hello too.” There followed more strange swallowing noises; like hiccups but smaller. Then: “Rex thinks you must be in Wooler.”

“Wooler?”

“Does that sound right?”

“I don’t know. It’s all beginning to sound the same.”

“We think you must have taken a wrong turn.” He was about to say he had taken many but it was too much effort. “There’s a hotel called the Black Swan. I think it sounds nice, and so does Rex. I have booked you a room, Harold. They know to expect you.”

“But you’re forgetting I have no money. And I must look terrible.”

“I paid over the phone by card. And it doesn’t matter how you look.”

“When will you be here? Will Rex come too?” He paused at the end of both questions, but Maureen’s voice gave nothing. He even wondered if she had put the phone down. “You are coming?” he said, his blood warming with panic.