A guard reported footsteps crossing an empty carriage after the final train left Bacup.

Cryer inspected the carriage at the depot.

The seats were empty.

On the floor lay a ticket.

Its destination was a station closed eleven years earlier.

The ticket had been stamped that evening.

Railway officials insisted the old stamp had been destroyed.

Cryer locked the carriage.

By morning the ticket was gone.

A single wet footprint remained on the ceiling.