First it was coming down in sheets, bouncing on the pavements, next it was raining horizontally hitting him directly in his face. He squinted his eyes shut and gasped for breath as he darted into shop doorways or under canopies for some brief shelter. Things looked different in the dark, so he paused for a while to gather his bearings. This was a part of town he didn’t frequent very often and he didn’t want to hang around for any longer than was absolutely necessary.

Why hadn’t he left sooner? If he had he would have avoided this dreadful weather and it wouldn’t have been so dark? What made matters worse was that Michelle would be worried sick about him – boy was he going to get it when he got home.

He ran along the pavement, avoiding the down pipes spewing cold dirty water every few feet before coming to a sudden halt. I know this place, he thought. He glanced across the main road and noticed an alleyway. It ran between a kebab shop and a shabby looking public house. At the other end of the alleyway Thomas knew that it would bring him out opposite a park, which was only a few minutes from his home. However, he also knew that there were other things that used the alleyway.. vagrants, rats, stray dogs and drug dealers to name but a few.

Perhaps he should stick to the main roads – it would take him twice as long to get home, but at least the roads and pavements were well lit… As he paused to think about the best course of action, a mini tidal wave sloshed over his feet. The culprit, a small sized blue car continued to plough its way up the main road, parting the waves as it went.

Forget it! He could be home in 15 minutes… He darted between two parked cars briefly looked left and right and sprinted across the road towards the alley. He heard the sound of the skidding car before the horn sounded – it was raining that hard he never even saw the vehicle! He glanced behind him whilst he kept running. The driver did not look at all happy. Thomas could see him mouthing something and shaking his fist, but thought it was wise not to stick around to find out exactly what was being said.

He was suddenly plunged into darkness as he entered the alley. Dustbins and soggy litter were piled up against both walls. A delightful aroma of kebabs mixed with vegetable fat, mould, urine and rotting food wafted gently into his nostrils. He couldn’t understand why anybody would want to buy food there!