AT 01:00, OUTSIDE WAS PITCH BLACK. Inside the cave, it was marginally better. The fire was reduced to a smouldering ember. Banjo opened his eyes the second his watch beeped. He depressed a tiny button by feel to switch off the alarm. Andy stirred. ‘Is it time?’
‘It is ... We have to get ready.’
He gathered more debris from the cave floor, mostly tiny twigs blown in by winds and left-over from people’s disregard for the environment. He fed these blessed things in the dying fire to increase the flame. He boiled water for tea. But this early in the morning he preferred coffee.
He left Andy to sort herself out but couldn’t help being the alpha in one regard.
‘It’s freezing out there...’
‘I know, and I’ve packed my thermals, okay, Mr Alpha Male? Can’t resist considering other people’s busi
