She often came here, sat for hours just watching people go by. Somehow the station made her feel like she was going places even without moving an inch. This was her safe place, where nobody could touch or hurt her. Nobody ever questioned her either, she kept herself to herself and bothered no one. Nancy sat crunching her way through a packet of crisps; she’d robbed twenty pounds from her mam’s purse. She was always dipping her when she was skint; she knew it was wrong but never cared enough to stop.

Suddenly she sat up straight and brushed her hair out of her eyes. Was she seeing things or what? She pulled her hood up, looked closer. It was him, she wasn’t imagining it. What on earth was Ged doing here? Nancy stood up and slowly made her way down the platform, ducking and diving behind people and luggage so he didn’t see her – she wasn’t sure yet if she wanted him to. Nancy had often jibbed on the trains, it was easy; she just kept her head down and walked through the turnstile and nobody ever seemed to notice. If she got caught, she would just lie and make up a story about falling out with her boyfriend, they would never charge or fine her when she worked her magic on them and gave them her sob story. She could cry at the drop of a hat, a performance that any leading lady would be proud of. Give her an Oscar.

Ged looked like he was out of his comfort zone, you could tell he didn’t really know what he was doing. He was like a fish out of water, looking around, his head twisting one way then another so fast it was a wonder he didn’t fall over. He kept checking the ticket in his hands over and over. Nancy watched him board the train and quickly jumped on after him, making sure he still didn’t clock her.

Ged shoved the ticket in his pocket and sat down. He pulled his hood up and dropped his head against the window. How hard could it be? Just a quick train journey out of town that’s all, nothing to worry about. Frankie was his mate, would never put him at risk, would he? Easy money he’d said. Frankie had made it sound like he’d come too but Ged sat here now feeling just as alone as ever.