“Man admits to string of rapes in Manchester area.. “
Colin looks away from the newsfeed on the wall of the bus and down at his phone. He swipes at the pop-ups, just in case any messages have been smothered. Nothing.
A flashing ad on the back of the seat forces his gaze.
“Protect your family’s future with life insur..”
He shuts his eyes and tries to imagine positive energy radiating out of him and passing over to the hospital where James and Daisy are.
When he opens his eyes again, the bus is passing under the bridge. Discount offers reflecting on the river from its underside look strangely beautiful.
The bus joins onto the main road. Projections and billboards light it up.
“Trump orders airstrike on…”
“Twenty one dead as fire rampages…”
Colin checks his phone again and banishes the pop-ups. Still nothing.
He turns his phone face down and looks at the back of his hand. Veins are popping. His knuckles are red. Whatever happened to their countryside escape plan?
As he steps off the bus in the centre, a message arrives. Colin opens it.
“It’s a girl! We are over the moon. All is well. Daisy is resting now. Lots of love xx”.
Colin looks up and for a moment the billboards blur, their vivid colours only serving to elevate this happiest of occasions.
Alex J Rankin 