She went in through the bathroom window

The fight was almost entirely one-sided, and breathtakingly short. At the end of it, the two men lay dazed on the ground, their ankles and wrists bound with - Adam was fairly sure - brightly-coloured knitting yarn.

"No permanent damage, I don't think," said Margaret, only slightly out of breath.

"That won't hold them forever," added Alice, checking their incongruous bonds, "but then, it doesn't need to. Come on, I think you've got something you need to collect, young man. I still can't believe you left it in your flat. This way, I think."

They left the alley at its opposite end, heading for the rear of the flats.

"We don't think anyone's watching your place," continued Alice, once they were out of earshot of the men. "But we can't be sure there isn't someone already in the flat. I don't see a back door" - here Adam shook his head, confirming it - "so Margaret here will go in through a window. Right, which one's yours?"

Adam pointed out the bathroom window of his flat, and Margaret started climbing up the drainpipe with improbable speed. Alice leaned in close and muttered "tell you the truth, this probably isn't strictly necessary - but she's enjoying it, so where's the harm?"

A few minutes after disappearing through the window, Margaret gave them the all clear.

When Adam and Alice eventually entered the flat the conventional way, Margaret shouted from the kitchen "hah! What kept you? Right, young feller. I've found your - I'm awfully sorry to say this, Alice, but needs must - tea bags. Now, where's your teapot?"

Adam's embarrassed look earned him a fusillade of tutting from the two women.



Story starts here.