Cats and dogs this morning, and it's not let up all day.

Soon the bus, crowded as always, all of us packed together, hugger-mugger.

And everyone jostling to get near Judy.

'What's it like? What's it like??'

We gaze in wonder. Our hands flutter towards her uncertainly, we want to touch, we want to know. Is she cold? Is she wet? Is it nice?

She sits serene, warmed by her triumph, just the sleeve of her blouse hanging out from the overloaded backpack between her knees.

She makes her exit with brazen grace, holding her pack high - proud, it seems, of the tell-tale sleeve - as she picks her way to the back of the bus, and down the stairs. She steps off into the rain, looks up at us with her triumphant smile, and with her pack slung casually over one shoulder moves to cross the road.

Our eyes, all of them, strain to keep her in view. As the bus moves off we are left hoping for rain tomorrow. Next time, we say to ourselves, next time....

B.M. & L.E.