‘Never. What’s he like?’

‘He’ll look after you. He’s okay, he’s a good man. Young.’

‘What time?’

‘I don’t know yet. I’ll call him, and he’ll call you. There’s a park, near the station – he’ll only want an hour.’

‘It’s a long way to go if he doesn’t know I’m coming.’

‘That’s why I’m going to call him, Morrie. Worst-case scenario is we wait till tomorrow, so just stay put.’

‘How much is it worth?’

‘What?’

‘I said, “How much is it worth?” One hour.’

‘I don’t know. The usual, I imagine. Have you got anything on you? Any stuff?’

‘No. I was going to get it from Tony.’

‘Then it’s the usual. Are you up for it or not? I don’t want him messed about.’

Morris cursed silently.

‘Yes.’

‘What?’

‘I said yes.’

‘I’ll call you back, then. Or he will.’

He waited another forty minutes, and the call finally came. Birmingham was on, for as soon as possible. He got there at 17.02 having avoided the train guard. As for the station barriers, you waited for someone with a suitcase and the gates opened wide enough for you to follow through. As long as nobody was watching, away you’d go. He didn’t have Aziz’s number, because Aziz didn’t want him to have it – and that was normal.

They would meet in the park. They would find a hotel, which Keenan always insisted on – and the sex would be quick. He’d be paid in cash, and home before midnight.

NORTH AGAIN

14

Ayesha had set Maria’s handbag in front of her, on the table.

She hadn’t wanted to touch it at first and she certainly didn’t want to look inside. To do so would be intrusive. The man in the seat opposite suggested she should, though, to identify the owner.

‘If there’s a phone number,’ he said, ‘we can call it.’

‘I should have kept my mouth shut,’ said Ayesha. ‘I should have said I don’t know.’

‘She did say, “Is this train going to Burnley?” That’s what she asked you.’

‘I know, but I should have realised.’

She sighed.

‘I make this trip twice a month – I should have known. She was a complete stranger, wasn’t she? A backpacker.’

She unzipped the bag and peered inside. There was a tablet, and beside that a cheap, pay-as-you-go phone. There was a long, slim wallet too, which was clean, smart and new and when Ayesha opened it she saw banknotes and cards. When she saw the passport tucked into a side pocket, she felt even worse. The poor woman had lost everything at a stroke: Pilipinas stood out in gold, so she was clearly miles from home. Ayesha flipped the cover open, and Maria looked up at her, smiling shyly.

‘Is there a number?’ said the man.