Awayday

I'd met Kate by the coffee shop as arranged, and she'd surprised me by announcing that we were going to the railway station.

Having just had my unplanned travel experience, I was happy to be going by conventional means, but I felt a bit thrown by this unexpected news.

"So are we going back to Edinburgh, then?" I asked.

Part of me was appalled that I was just falling in with her plans - but another part of me was relieved that she was taking charge of the situation. I hadn't felt in control for such a long time, it was starting to seem like the norm.

"Yes," she replied. "I'm pretty sure we can get Jen out, and get back at Lewis and his lot at the same time. But there's not much time if we're going to get there today - the train leaves in half an hour, and we've got to get there first."

At the station, we'd agreed that we could talk on the train - but we hadn't really counted on how busy it was going to be. We ended up sitting side-by-side, with a guy across the table from us, and a family taking up all the seats at the table to the left of us.

As the train pulled away and gathered speed, Kate spoke to me in a low voice - though with our table companion engrossed in whatever he was listening to, I thought she was being a little over-cautious.

"I've got stuff I need to talk you through," she told me, "but now's not the time or place. Anyway, it'll wait till we get back to Edinburgh."

I nodded, curious but relieved. While we were travelling, there was still a feeling of unreality to this: back in Edinburgh, I feared it would be all too real.

"Kete," I said, keeping my voice low too, "why are you helping me like this? I mean, I'm really grateful and everything, but wouldn't it be easier for you to just try and get away from all of this?"

"Run away, you mean?" she said with contempt. "I won't do that - can't do that. These people used me, Alan. They used the Professor too, and they, they killed him."

Fat tears were forming in her eyes. Tears of sorrow, or anger? Or both? She didn't even seem to notice.

"They killed my friend. They murdered the best and most intelligent person I've ever met. And they're going to pay."

I put my hand on hers, but she pulled it away. After brushing the tears form her cheeks, she gave my hand a quick squeeze.

"Oh, they're going to pay all right."



Story begins here.