He jerked awake with the sounds around him. Daylight had already gathered strength and the docks bustled. Oh god! He had slept too late.
Pulling his collar around his neck, his head low and his shoulders hunched to his ears, he walked with the crowd, trying to blend in with the fresh workers of the day. He was known here. This was the last place he should be. Pushing through the familiar street-sellers, rolling their carts with steaming pea soup, eel pies and mash, he pulled his cap down low, his long fringe flipped over his face. His cracked ribs caught with each inhale. He had to get out of here!
"Hey!" a man called out. There it was, like a jolt through his chest. How could he be so bloody stupid! He strode faster toward the exit gates, his body still awkward from sleep and his boots
