Chapter One
They were walking along the river path, away from the city, and as
far as they knew they were alone.
They'd woken that morning to a curious stillness. Clouds sagged
over the river, and there was mist like a sweat over the mud flats.
The river had shrunk to its central channel, and seagulls skimmed
low over the water. The colour was bleached out of houses and gardens
and the clothes of the few passers-by.
They'd spent the morning indoors, picking away at their intractable
problems, but then, just before lunch, Lauren had announced
that she had to get out. They might have done better to
drive to the coast, but instead they donned raincoats and boots and
set off to walk along the river path.
They lived on the edge of what had once been a thriving area of
docks, quays, and warehouses, now derelict and awaiting demolition.
Squatters had moved into some of the buildings. Others had
suffered accidental or convenient fires, and were surrounded by
barbed-wire fences, with pictures of Alsatians and notices saying
DANGER. KEEP OUT.
Tom kept his eyes down, hearing Lauren's voice go on and on, as
soft and insistent as the tides ... read full excerpt from: Border Crossing ebook
