Chapter 22Thomas was very excited about his day out with Alan and he'd been up since the c***k of dawn packing and re-packing his bag. Now he was anxiously pacing the floor waiting for the numbers of the digital clock to click on to eight-fifty so he could lock up and leave his flat. He always enjoyed being with Alan because the older man had so much life experience and he was interesting.
Thomas looked at the clock impatiently, eight-forty seven, that would have to do. He couldn't wait any longer. He lifted his rucksack packed with his knitted hat and gloves, spare socks, in case his feet got wet in the river, a sharp knife for gutting any fish they caught, a flask of tea and two packs of sandwiches that he'd bought at Tasty Bakers the day before. At the last minute, just before he left,
