'What on earth are you doing?' The deep voice came through the open window of the car that had pulled up beside her.
The girl turned and looked at the two men looking at her accusingly.
Once again the deep voice came, 'What are you doing here at this time of night?'
'I'm not sure,' she murmured, 'I just seemed to have found myself here.'
'Do you even know where you are?' was their next question.
'Not really, I just hoped it was the right road.'
'To where?'
'Back to London.'
'London!' came the exclamation from the car. 'Have you any idea how far away that is?'
'No,' she whispered, 'I didn't think. I just left; I knew I had to get away. I was so angry.'
'Angry, with whom?'
'My brother, I couldn't believe he could be so mean.'
'So where have you come from?'
'Near Truro.'
'Truro! How long have you been walking?'
'I don't really know. It seems hours. It was still light and sunny when I left and the roads were busy, I had hoped to get a lift. Now everywhere seems so quiet.'
'What do you expect? It's midnight and you're a long way from any town. You shouldn't be hitch hiking, especially by yourself.'
There was a long silence. The girl realised she was not in a good position, she was miles from anywhere. She had made herself vulnerable.
'Come on, get in the back and we'll sort something out.'
The girl got in the back and the car moved on. Firstly along dark lanes and then into lit streets. Soon they pulled up in front of an old building, and the two men escorted her in.
'Hello Sarge, look what we've found on the road tonight.'
The girl found herself in a well lit room, staring across the counter, at an older man, with a stern look in his eyes. 'How old are you?'
'Fifteen,' she replied.
'Have you any idea what a situation you have got yourself into?'
'Yes, I have now. I'm sorry, but my brother made me so angry. I didn't think, I just left.'
'Well you must have a guardian angel,' the Sergeant went on. 'Luckily you were picked up by two of my best lads. Come on we'll find a bed for you for the rest of the night.'
Just before he led her down the corridor, she turned and thanked the two policemen who had come to her rescue. They gave her a smile.
'Best of luck. Think carefully another time,' they said as they turned to leave.
She followed the Sergeant to an empty cell; he gave her a pillow and blanket, brought her a cup of tea, and explained that the cell door would be left open, and the next morning he would arrange transport home for her.
Her hitch-hiking day was over.