Jason sat on the stone by the stream and carefully placed the frying pan on the ground next to him, putting the wrapped pork sausages in the middle. He had not had a day in the woods since he’d left school without qualifications, aged 16. He gazed at the flowing water and thought about what he’d learnt in the pub – trout tickling. He wondered how the hermit found the fish to capture in that fast-flowing brook. If he got the chance, he would ask him. Jason stared moodily at the stream for what seemed an eternity. He wasn’t used to being alone without anything to do, and didn’t know how to occupy such quiet moments. Ordinarily, he would have sought company and alcohol or taken up the challenge of a war game on his PlayStation.
A discreet cough made him turn around to stare at the curious fi
