While it approached, Asami closed the gap between them and checked her watch with the timetable. There was a moment or so of horrid searching - though she did it carefully, because she had to plan two journeys since she had no chance of being picked up from town.

That happened to be the very moment the bus set down and people started getting on - she waited, embarked and paid, and chose a nice seat at the middle-back. There was a moment or two of quiet gazing. Quite annoying, but she let Ami sit down first.

"Probably," she said. "Depends if my brother keeps his big nose out."