‘What’re you doing here?’ I was surprised to see him. ‘I thought you’d gone to London.’ ‘Ah, well, I couldn’t handle it in London,’ he grinned. ‘Too hectic. D’ya mind if I come in?’ ‘Are you going to have a cup of tea this time?’ ‘You know I will.’ ‘Well, in you come then!’ and I made a low mocking bow towards him, grinning. For some reason, when I bobbed up again, I caught his eyes, smiling at me, and I got a funny feeling. I couldn’t work out what it was – it was almost like he had some kind of special effect on me. We smoked and talked for the next few hours – the time just seemed to fly by. I learned that Matt came from a big family and that he was not long out of prison. He was staying with his uncle now that the Garda were looking for him. For some reason, I felt comfortable in Matt’s company. I knew I could talk to him and he wouldn’t judge me. Suddenly he jumped up. ‘I’d better go,’ he mumbled. ‘I’ve got to be in for midnight.’ ‘Who are you?
