Blood Red City by Justin Richards

later as she turned a corner. Then she saw him reflected in the plate-glass window of a large shop on the main street. He stood on the opposite side of the road, obviously watching. As she turned, he also turned away, and pretended to walk on.
    Was this part of her training, Sarah wondered? Or was it more sinister – someone actually watching her because of her connection to Station Z? Either way, her best option was to lose him, and as soon as possible.
    She wandered apparently aimlessly round the main streets as she decided what to do. When she finally decided, she walked into the largest clothing store she had found, and made for the ladies’ underwear department. There were a few other people browsing, all women. As she had hoped, the man kept his distance rather than make himself obvious.
    Taking a selection of items to the changing rooms, Sarah smiled at the attendant. ‘I’m so sorry,’ she said. ‘I don’t really want to try any of these on.’
    The middle-aged woman outside the line of changing rooms raised an eyebrow. ‘Oh?’
    â€˜It’s just that…’ Sarah hesitated, feigning nervousness. ‘There’s a man following me. He’s been following me round all the shops. I know him slightly, but I would really rather not see him.’
    The woman smiled back. ‘Oh, I quite understand.’ She glanced past Sarah to where the man was making a pretence of examining a rack of women’s coats. ‘He does look rather an unpleasant type,’ she agreed.
    â€˜I just wondered if there is a back way out of the shop, or something?’
    The woman pointed past the changing rooms. ‘Turn left at the end, you’ll find a door that leads out into Melvyn Street. I’ll distract him for a moment for you.’
    Without another word, the woman marched off towards the man. He glanced up as she approached, while Sarah made sure he saw her step into the nearest changing room. She put down the clothes and peered out again, watching as the woman took the man by the arm, turning him expertly as she showed him one of the coats.
    As soon as the man’s back was turned, Sarah hurried from the changing room and round the corner. Soon, she was sitting in a tea room several streets away, positioned so she could see the street outside without being seen herself. There was no sign of the man who had been following her.
    â€˜Is this seat taken?’
    She thought at first it was the same man. But he was younger, wearing a jacket rather than a coat.
    â€˜No, please.’ Sarah gestured for him to sit down opposite her.
    â€˜Have you been here before?’ the man asked as he waited for the girl to come over. ‘The tea cakes are very good. If they have any.’
    â€˜My first time,’ Sarah said, returning his smile.
    She was happy to sit and chat for a while, all the time keeping a discreet watch on the street outside for the man who had been following her.
    He introduced himself as Charlie. ‘I work down at the docks,’ he told her. ‘Boring, really. An office job, but they say it’s too important for me to be allowed to join up, so…’ He shrugged. ‘What about you? What do you do?’
    â€˜I work in an office too,’ Sarah said, choosing her words carefully.
    Charlie sipped his tea. ‘Doing what?’
    â€˜Oh, this and that. I’m a sort of secretary.’
    â€˜Sort of?’
    She watched him carefully, noting how intent he suddenly seemed. The bead of sweat above his left eyebrow. She hadn’t noticed before, but there were several empty tables further into the tea room, so why had he sat here with her?
    â€˜Very boring,’ she said, forcing a smile. ‘Typing mainly. I’m sorry, but I have to go.’ She drained the rest of her tea in a swallow and stood up.
    Charlie – if that really was his name – seemed amused. ‘Will I see you again?’
    â€˜I doubt