He leaves the house at around 4

4:30

Tapping his anorak pocket to see how many sweets are left

Slipping his keys around his fingers and whistling through his teeth

It is Tuesday

He takes the back lane behind the shops even though it's not really quicker

But more to avoid being seen by the teens outside the newsagent

He feels strangely good

Free day is that not carrying a bag or going anywhere in particular

And as he looks down at the key ring of a naughty rat in sunglasses and baseball cap

He smiles

And by the time he hears the screams from behind him

It is too late

He waits until the quizzes finished before he rinses his cup

He likes the quizzes

He likes the girls who don't present them but somehow facilitate the male presenter and push up bras

But because he's lingered

He 's lingered to see if the guy from birmingham is as shifty as his eyes letting him to believe

He's late

And as he swings out of the drive

The radio playing some kid's tune

He thinks if I just put my foot down

She's just nipped to the shops

Literally just nipped

Because she's left the pan on and everything when something doesn't feel right

Someone wrong is watching her

Too many eyes

And even though she is looking around

There is nothing to see

Jimmy at the counter

The fat man buying flour

But through the window something tingles

A man

Head down

Skipping into the street

The car

The scream

The swerve

The children