It was a bad vibe that soon passed from his mind though, happily thrust back behind the memories of the laughter, the drinking, the conversation – and the frequent uncertainty about what would happen next when in the company of Kay Talbot, as he now knew her name to be. There had been more mood swings from his female companion, and Nick had handled them, managed them, tended to them like a prudent gardener. Unexpectedly, but gloriously, his own words seemed somehow to bring her back to a contented frame of mind. It all felt somehow slightly magical to him.
The clear skies of early evening had given way to light drizzle as he walked home from the bus stop, giving his jacket a sheen that gleamed in the light of the yellow street lamps. The rain couldn’t douse the fire that was blazing in hi
