Chapter 1

The doors separated, and the passengers surged ahead. David stepped forward to exit the train, but stopped when a woman trod on his foot. He tried to pull it away, but her heel dug in deeper. He tapped her on the arm. She turned and sneered at him. 'Keep your filthy hands off me, you pervert!' A thick-set guy wearing a leather jacket eyed David up and down. The passengers surged again, this time thrusting David forward and out of the train.

      The platform was jam-packed, and the mass of people swept David along towards the exit. He hated commuting to the city nearly as much as he hated working there. But the pay was decent enough. His father was always reminding him he was fortunate to have a job. 'Times are tough, son, so you have to be tougher.' David knew it was probably true, but on days like today, he didn't feel tough or even very fortunate.

      He emerged from the underground into the deafening racket of car horns, shouting, and police sirens. The morning was miserable as low dark clouds raced past overhead. The wind howled, and the rain poured down. David pulled up his collar, his expression as gloomy as the weather.

      David glanced at his watch. 'Shit, I'm going to be late.' He quickened his pace and continued fighting his way through the hordes of people. After turning the corner, a sickening feeling washed over him. He stopped dead in his tracks. Had he left Mr Norris's file at home on the kitchen worktop? 'Shit, I bet I have. Why didn't I email it last night? I might have known this would happen.' He stepped to one side and removed his rucksack. After searching inside, he removed a folder. 'Oh, thank god for that, I have brought it.'

      The door behind him opened. 'Hey, shift it!'

      David turned and faced a man wearing a hooded sweatshirt. He attempted to apologise, but the man shoved past him, knocking the folder out of his hand. The folder landed in a puddle. David bent down and picked it up. 'Shit, it's ruined!'