Ava felt exposed as they shuffled slowly through the dark streets. Patience must have been in her sixties but she was walking faster than Jack could manage. He had to keep asking them to stop and rest. It was driving Ava mad.
And clichéd though she knew it was, she couldn't shake the feeling they were being watched.
One time, while Jack rested against a lamppost, still shivering and sweating, Patience sidled over to Ava. 'Listen, honey,' she said in a low voice. 'Your boy. He … He ain't using, is he?'
Ava blinked in surprise and found herself smiling. 'Jack? No way. He's so straight he'd get flashbacks from a strong cup of coffee.'
Patience looked relieved. 'Only I don't approve of that kind of thing. Drugs and all.' She looked up at Ava uncertainly, her usual jollity replaced by something more vulnerable. 'I can trust the pair of you, can't I?'
