There had been no warning this time.

The towns folk stared as the streets began to fill with thick grey smoke, blocking out the sun. Then slowly, gradually, each turned and began walking up the hill away. No-one uttered a word.

Susan was fixed to a spot, in sheer disbelief. Her eyes drank in the scenes around her and made her woozy.

In the harbour, a fishing boat on fire.

A dog barking at a dead body.

A baby crying somewhere.

Something inside her cracked – an invisible wall of disbelief crumbled and she suddenly came to the undeniable conclusion that this was all really happening. It was time to move. Now.