Daniel – New York City – 1911 CE
'I had a strange dream last night,' I tell Katie as we walk to our place of work. 'I was this boy, and I was looking for someone, but although I found her, and she was all right, I still kept on looking, but it was strange because my face would change, not just the boy growing into a man, but well, I was a boy, and the boy did grow up, but then I was a different boy, but I was still looking for someone. And then I was a man, and searching London during the plague for whoever it was, and then I was a boy again, looking in Germany, and do you know what, for a time, just before I woke up, I dreamt I was my father before he died, God rest his soul, it was a very strange dream.'
I laugh nervously, thinking maybe I've said too much. That now Katie will think I'm mad and won't want to walk out with me anymore.
She squeezes my hand. 'That was a very strange dream,' she says. 'And you can tell me more about it tonight after work. But for now I need to get to the ninth floor of the Triangle before Mr Harris gives me my notice.'
'He wouldn't dare.'
'I think he would though. And he'll give you notice too if you don't hurry. So no more dreams for now.'
'All right,' I grin. 'But how about a kiss before we go in?'
She puts her hands on her hips. 'Who do you think I am Daniel Clannal? Some floozy you've met on the street? My mam brought me up to be proper. So I won't be kissing no man until my wedding day. Thank you very much.'
And she flounces off into the entrance of the Triangle Factory, her skirt flipping around her ankles.