Gareth did not spot it. His hand was tracing the stone of the step, feeling for some marking he might not be able to see by eye. All he felt was freezing cold stone.

When a group of well dressed ladies approached, he quickly rose and stepped out of the way, bowing his head. The women looked at the group rather confounded, but then they walked on, further up the stairs, giggling and glancing back at the group as they went. It had to be a strange sight indeed.