"You're mine already, pretty!" called the voice and laughter followed her.
     Katerina ran but heard no footsteps behind her. How had he found her? Was it just coincidence? Perhaps if she went to the police…. but what would they do? They wouldn't care about a homeless migrant, a goblin child. They couldn't guard her or house her or employ her. She ran several streets, taking as many turns as she could and found herself on the busy main road by Russell Square. She hesitated. Ordinarily the tall plain trees with their slender, leaf-clad limbs decked with pompoms and their generous invitation to enjoy their shade was irresistible but now she was all too aware that the large square only had two gates offering entrance and exit and the spacious paths between the trees and fountains were nearly empty of visitors. She couldn't afford being isolated or fenced in. But the dappled sunlight, the splash of water, so distinct against the endless thrum of traffic, all the promise of peace and all the grace of natural beauty were so enticing… She could have something to eat at the kiosk there. She looked behind her and had a clear view of the road to left and right. Hyena-man was nowhere in sight. She must have lost him. There had been no running feet behind her. Anyway, it was still broad daylight. She darted across the busy street and went into the square.
     The silence embraced her immediately. It wasn't that she could no longer hear the traffic and the eternal hum that vibrated off the elaborate, terracotta facades that flanked the square, it was just that the silence was louder. A squirrel skittered up to her hopefully, shaking its tail at any would-be competition, and then bounced away when she paused in her walk but failed to offer it anything. A bird shrieked and fluttered noisily from the high branches above her and here and there pigeons officiously patrolled the unpopulated paths on the look out for visitors bearing crumbs. Katerina relaxed. If you had nothing else, there was always this, the many enchanted gardens that magically materialised amid the traffic and the crowds and the buildings. She made her way to the café, mentally promising a tithe of her meal to the watchful animals.
     She was really hungry and fatigued. She'd have to take her chances, again, and sleep where she could: here, perhaps, in the bushes, the season was mild, but regardless of the cost she was going to eat properly now. She ordered eggs, bacon and beans, tea and a muffin and found herself a seat at one of the round etched-aluminium tables outside, where she was the only customer as the small establishment prepared to close. She laid the dark blue umbrella with its gold points across the table in plain sight to ensure that she wouldn't forget it and watched the display made by the circular fountains as they tossed their tumbling white jets of water into the golden air. Presently she was brought a tray of food by an elderly lady in a floral dress who took off her apron as soon as she'd laid down the tray. I'm afraid we'll be clearing up directly," she said, "but you're alright for twenty minutes or so."