Chapter one

She was never really sure what had happened. There had been the bump, she had woken in hospital and then gone home to her aunties. Her parents were gone – dead, she was an orphan. Gwen Cooper, aged ten. No ma and pa.

During the days and weeks,years after,she never cried in the day time, she never even cried herself to sleep. The counsellors were not sure if she was coping really well or really badly. But Gwen didn't know how to be any different.

She just got on with life as it appeared before her. School, friends, work.

Sleep was a different matter. Sleep was when the dreams came, the tears and the fear. Dreams were when He came. Tall, silent, always dressed in a type of blue uniform, apart from his boots. The young Gwen noticed that – big, big boots. Brown and supple. He was often in the background of the dream – when she re lived the Bump as she called it. There was always a feeling of sadness from him, helplessness even. When she cried he would be there, once she felt his arms around her, and when she looked up, he was crying too. Once she thought she heard him whisper against her hair – 'sorry, so sorry, there was nothing I could do'. As she grew older, and her new life took shape she dreamt less, and saw him less. Her success at school and work helped her to bury the memories. Then she found Rhys, comfortable, splendid, funny Rhys. Utterly dependable, sexy (at least to her). The man in blue stopped visiting her dreams. On her wedding day she did have a strange feeling of being watched, daft really because there were eighty guests all with their eyes on her – of course she was being watched......, her eyes were drawn to the balcony in the old Wesleyan chapel. Had that been a blue coat disappearing from sight? The minister ahemmed and drew her attention, do you Gwen take Rhys to be …... when she had a chance to glance at the balcony again, there was no one there.

Eighteen months later Gwen was sat out in front of The Café Celi, having just delivered the fresh pastries from the bakery where she worked, Ianto the café manager had made her one of his amazing coffees. She didn't know how he did it, but it was definitely the best coffee in Cardiff. For once this year the morning sun had some heat in it and she was relaxing for ten minutes, planning her work day, who on the shift needed a kick and who needed a bit of TLC. Little Glenys had been harassing the work experience boy again.

Suddenly hearing a commotion in the square, Gwen looked up – some yob in a Halloween mask and a blue boiler suit was running through, chased by a tall guy in a blue uniform, he caught the Yob by the shoulder and was about to MACE him – Gwen found she was on her feet running towards them "Jack !Jack!" startled he turned and looked her straight in the eye, surprise and consternation chasing across his face. Taking advantage of his inattention the yob twisted away from his grasp, and ran for it, Jack cursed and ran after him, glancing back as he ran, Gwen followed, rounding the corner, but they had disappeared. There was no sign of them – the crowds walking along to work and shops were undisturbed by any Yob pushing through, there was no tall stranger in uniform pushing them aside. It was as if they had never existed.

Confused (and not a little puffed – must cut down on the Danish) Gwen returned to the café. Ianto was waiting by her table.

"What happened? You took off like a bat out of hell – didn't know you could move that fast -"

"Didn't you see – the yob running through – the man chasing him?"

"No, I had my back turned, just saw you running to the corner – no one in front of you thought someone must have tried to pinch your purse."

"No, no it was him- him I had to talk to him"

"Who Gwen?"

"The man chasing the Yob. I know him. I know him from somewhere. I just saw him and the next thing I knew I was running after him, but when I turned the corner he had disappeared."

"You must have it bad – does Rhys know about him?"

"Its not like that – he's something to do with my childhood – I have to talk to him."

"I thought you didn't remember anything about your childhood?"

"I - I don't, I just know he is connected in some way – he used to appear in my dreams."

"Do what?"

"(mumble) appear in my dreams."

"Gwen, are you sure you didn't fall sleep in the sun?. I didn't see or hear anything, and I've

been out the front for the last ten minutes."

"I know what I saw Ianto. I know it was real. He was here."

"OK Gwen, but he ran into one of the busiest and narrowest streets in Cardiff and just disappeared and the yob as well? No sign of people being pushed out of the way? Or even looking slightly huffy? Perhaps you need to see someone about this?"

"Oh for Gods sake Ianto, I've got to get back to work. Thanks for making me feel really, really stupid."

Gwen picked up her bag and stalked off.

"You're welcome Gwen, and yes the coffee was on the house – well my wallet actually."

As she walked away Ianto touched his ear 'Tosh, there has been another incursion – and this time we have a credible witness."