The Gallows in my Garden

Through the village, at the dark crossroads, there was a small car parked in an unused lane by the roadside, without its lights. Sebastian got out of Kate's car; some few minutes later, when he was quite sure no other car was approaching, he walked across. Bending over so that his mouth was not far from the driver's ear, he murmured, 'Do you by any chance smoke this brand of cigarette?' Immediately the driver's hand came out and Sebastian laid the chamois-leather roll in it. There was a casual 'Thanks,' and the little car backed out into the road and shot away ... That was how it all began.