I have never had to get a bus after five o'clock before. You can imagine, then, that I was feeling pretty nervous as I waited to get the first bus after eight so I could take Jason up on his pub quiz offer. I knew the buses became hourly after a certain time, so it was either be on time or be very, very late.

I was stood at the bus stop for nearly forty minutes. If anything, I could have gone home for a quick cup of tea but I didn't dare leave my post, should a bus turn up before the normal time. Which they have a tendency to do.

My iPod and Soft Machine's 'Third' helped to pass the time somewhat. The skies darkened and it was dusk when I got the bus. In St. Helens, I arrived to the deep blue of a young night. It was a quarter past eight and a few stragglers were about the town; most of the activity was in the countless pubs and restaurants. The streets lacked people but an ambience filled the air; traffic, the sound of a security alarm shrieking and church bells going wild - melodic, near, yet out of place.

( In Which Kelza is Rubbish at Pub Quizzes )