Nick looked out of the bus window. He was fed up. It was raining, but that wasn't the problem.
When Kate got onto the bus, she sat next to Nick as she always did.
'Budge up!' she said.
Nick looked round at her as she sat down, but he didn't say "Hello". He only grunted, and drew stickmen on the misty window glass.
'What's the matter with you, today?' Kate asked as the bus swung into the High Street. 'You haven't said a word.'
'Nothing to say.' Nick's nose was still pressed flat against the window, but he wasn't looking at the street. His eyes were half shut.
'Don't be so boring! I think I'll go and sit next to someone else,' said Kate.
'No, don't.' Nick looked at her. Kate was small, with dark hair and glossy red lips. She had a funny way of wrinkling up her nose when she smiled. She smiled a lot at Nick. In fact, she was smiling now. Her friends said she was in love with him, but Nick knew better. They were friends, that was all. Friends who liked to have a bit of fun.
'My weekend's a mess,' said Nick. He tried to sound glum, but Kate's smile always cheered him up. 'No money, no credit, and my uncle David's coming to stay.' He made a face, as if he had just taken a swig of vinegar.
'What's up with Uncle David?' asked Kate.
'He's the meanest man in Britain. If he lends you a paper hanky, he expects you to write a thank-you note.'
Kate sniffed. 'Sounds like a jerk.'
'Mind you, he's rich. He drives a Jag.'
'You know what?' said Kate. 'I can tell the future. Here, just look into my eyes.' She frowned, and swayed, as if she was in a trance. 'Yes, I'm right. You're going to get some money, very soon.'
'I bet!' grinned Nick.
'You can make fun of me,' said Kate, 'but I'm never wrong about things like that. You'll see! And forget about stupid Uncle David, OK?'
'I will. If he lets me.'
'Poor thing,' mocked Kate. 'Let me kiss it better.' She leaned over.
'Isn't this your stop?' asked Nick.
'Eek!'
The bus had already pulled up, and Kate still had to rush along the top deck. She grabbed her wet coat and ran. As she got to the top of the stairs she turned and shouted back to Nick. 'Be happy! And don't forget, you owe me a kiss!'
'It's a promise!' Nick called back, grinning.
Kate vanished down the steps to the lower deck of the bus. Then Nick saw her mobile phone, lying on the seat beside him. It must have fallen out of her coat pocket as she got up.
Nick stood up. Maybe there was just time to catch Kate? But no, the bus was already pulling out from the kerb, into the busy traffic. Nick shook his head and put the phone into his own pocket. He'd call Kate's landline later, to tell her it was safe.
Just then there was a scream, out in the street. A horn blasted. The bus braked hard, and Nick was flung back into his seat. Then came a crash and a crunch of metal, and the scream suddenly stopped. Everyone on the top deck of the bus was leaning over to see what was going on.
'What is it?' asked the woman behind Nick.
'That girl,' said her husband. 'The one who got off in such a hurry just now. She wasn't looking where she was going, and that motorbike--'
He didn't finish his sentence.
'What a mess,' said the woman, looking down into the gutter. 'She didn't stand a chance.'
The road outside was dark with rain and loud with traffic. On the road Nick saw a crumpled motorbike, its wheel sticking out at a crazy angle. People were helping the rider to his feet. He did not seem badly hurt, but on the ground beside him was another person. A girl, with dark hair and bright red lips.
It was Kate. Except that now, her whole face was red.
Bloody, raw and red.
It was no longer a face at all.
