Evening street scene

It had rained on and off for most of the day and there was a cool nip in the air. As afternoon turned into the shadows of evening, a few late stragglers from work hurriedly made their way home, leaving the wet streets for those brave and hardy enough to venture out for a night on the town.

Lights in the surrounding buildings were flicking on one by one, spilling out into the street like orange and yellow paint from an artist's dripping brush. They spoke of a cosy air of warmth inside, of people settling down for the evening after their day's labours, preparing to drift into a state of contented lethargy prior to sleep.

Night descended and the rain returned. The earlier home-bound workers were now replaced by party-goers, pub punters and the clubbing fraternity. For some the evening was just beginning, for others it was winding down. The rain grew stronger and a fresh wind began to blow through the darkened streets.