PRICELESS

Her father left memories that Aanya would treasure forever

- 

Aanya cradled the Krishna statue on her lap as if it were a child. She'd tried wedging it on to the overhead rack but decided against it. She didn't want it damaged.

Watching houses and electricity pylons give way to green, sheep-dotted fields through the train window, she settled herself in for the journey back to Edinburgh.

'You needed an extra seat.' The man sitting next to her nodded at the statue and smiled.

Aanya smiled back.

She generally hated polite conversation with strangers, but this one had a pleasant voice and warm brown eyes.

'The plan was to sell him, but it seems he's not worth as much as I thought.'

The man raised his eyebrows. 'Oh dear! And he's not a small chap, is he?'

Aanya shifted the statue on her lap, noting that the flute in Krishna's hand was poking her neighbour in the ribs.

'I can't believe I'm bringing him home. My apartment's miniscule.'

'I'm Jake,' the man said.

'Aanya.' The statue was now perched on her right knee, its blue face pressed against the train window.