Paul...

Paul stood outside the smart white door, and looked at his waTch. Nearly nine o clock. Any minute now the door would open and Sarah would be there to greet him, smiling sweetly as she always did. He imagined her holding out her hand to him, taking his coat, welcoming him in. The thought brought a smile to himself. It was a chilly night, and as the wind whipped up around him he pulled his jacket close. It had been a long day fraught with problems and only the thought of this assignation had kept him going.

On the viaduct above the street A train pulled into the station and the clip clop of hurrying footsteps neared the doorway as commuters rushed to get home. Paul huddled in the doorway, shielding his face behind the newspaper he always carried. The footsteps carried on past him and he breathed a sigh of relief. If only they could meet somewhere more discreet, he thought.

He checked his watch again. Time to go in. He tapped gently on the door and, almost in answer, he heard a bolt slide away and the click of the catch as the door opened. He sidled into the room, catching a whiff of her perfume as he snaked past her.

In front of him a dozen strangers sat in a circle, bracing themselves to open their souls and admit to their sins.

"Good evening Paul", Sarah said. "It's lovely to have you back at AA."

The end