Parting of the ways

We sat on a bench in a small park. It was where we'd agreed Kate would leave me, before the final five-minute walk to the facility.

We watched buses come and go, and clouds scud across the sky. People on their way to work paid us no attention, fixed on the journey from A to B. I wished I was doing the same, and had a sudden and intense longing for the everyday.

"Got your phone on?" Kate asked. She already knew I had, but I nodded anyway.

"Remember, give it ten minutes, and then quirk yourself to the containment area, OK?"

"If I can, I will."

"Come on, Alan - course you can. You can do this. If my diversion's worked, if Lewis buys the story, then he'll have sent a big team to pick you up. Should make your job a lot easier."

"And if he doesn't buy the story?"

Kate made an exasperated noise.

"If he doesn't, then... well, to be honest I don't know. If the place is still crawling with security, it probably means you don't have long. If that's the case, getting Jen out has to be your biggest priority - but you probably don't need me to tell you that.

"Get what footage you can though, eh? This lot need to be stopped. Do you want other people to go what you went through? We should be helping people, not trying to turn them into weapons."

I nodded again. "I'll do whatever I can," I said - and meant it.

"Anyway, Mr Mackie - I think it's high time I was on my way. Take care of yourself. And come back and get me as soon as you can, eh?"

I put my hand on hers. "Kate..." I began, not entirely sure what I was going to say.

She put a finger on my lips. "Shush now," she said, and kissed me. As goodbye kisses go, it was a long goodbye.

She stood up, started to say something, then decided against it. She turned around and walked away. Would I see her again?



Story begins here.