The phone rang. It woke Grace from a deep sleep. She leaned over and picked up her mobile phone from the dressing table. It was the warden at the prison.

“Shaun has escaped,” the warden told Grace.

“Wh-What? When? How?”

“He was there at count, but we haven’t seen him since. I suggest you get your things and go.”

Grace scrambled for the light. She grabbed the nearest items of clothing and tried to get dressed whilst waking Jamie up.

“Grace, it is 2 o’clock in the morning. What on earth are you doing?” Jamie asked, trying to cover his eyes from the light.

“It’s Shaun. He’s escaped. We have to go. Now.”

“Don’t be stupid, he doesn’t know where we live.”

“That’s what you think. Have you forgotten who we are talking about?” Grace’s voice had become high-pitched.

“No, I haven’t. But you sold up years ago, just when he went into prison.” Jamie was beginning to get agitated. All he wanted was to go back to sleep.

“Yes. I know that. But do you remember how we met? We haven’t moved since. I bet you can’t remember if you told him where I had moved to. So just get up, I have an emergency fund set aside for when he got out. Now is the time to use it.”

Jamie realised that he had told Shaun. He would know where they lived. He would know that Jamie lived there too. And Jamie wasn’t going to second guess who he wanted dead more, himself or Grace.

“Grab me my clothes then woman!” Jamie had sprung to life.

  ”So you did tell him. Come on! We have no time to lose. Last time he was seen it was at count! He could be outside right now.” Grace threw Jamie his clothes, and stifled her tears. Now was not the time for emotions.

  When they were dressed, Grace put the torch light on. She signalled to Jamie to stay by the wall right behind her. The curtains were closed and they were good at keeping light out. Grace turned right at the bottom of the stairs, into the kitchen. She opened the fridge door. The fridge was inside a cupboard, and there was a small shelf at the top. Grace reached up to the shelf and pulled down an envelope.

“Whats that?” Jamie asked

“Half of the emergency fund.Plus a pay as you go mobile phone. It has £50 on it. Should be enough. Get the keys.”

Jamie fumbled in the bowl on the microwave for the keys. He fumbled with the keys in the lock.

“Give them here!” Grace was getting agitated by the noise Jamie was making.

Grace unlocked the door, and they both put their shoes on before leaving. They walked past the car, and out onto the well lit street.

“What now?” Jamie asked.

“I don’t know. We have to get over to the main road. He could be round the front. He might not even be here. But we have to be careful.”

“Surely the tracks would be better?”

“No. They are not lit, nor very public. The main road.” Grace held Jamies hand.

They walked slowly, nearing the corner. Grace had no idea where they were to go. She knew she had enough money to spend a night or five in a hotel or something, but it was too late for that now. She couldn’t use the car in case Shaun knew it was her car. All she could do was walk.