On a day of forty-two degrees just over a year ago

I found a phone on a bench at Avignon TGV

I tried to call the owner but did not get a reply

So I settled for a text as I hoped that she was nearby

I did not receive a reply for six weeks

And when it arrived I was entertaining friends

The caller was named Alba and she lived in Toulon

I told her that I was English and lived in London

So I agreed that it would be best if I returned the phone by post

Alba said that she would cover my expenses

And would send me the full details of her address

I waived the expenses and waited for her details to arrive

But she did not contact me as arranged

Which was puzzling but not out of the ordinary

As Alba most likely had replaced her mobile phone

Today I am in Avignon once again to attend a business meeting

The temperatures are similar to those of my first visit

I am sitting in the shade on a bench in front of the impressive station

The mobile phone is in the side pocket of my handbag

Which is quite ridiculous as the owner has obviously lost interest

I am waiting to be picked up but caught an earlier train

So I have some time to kill slowly in the sun

But I am uneasy as I feel that I am being watched

By a raven girl who is sitting on another bench

Reading a damaged Michael Houellebecq novel

She is glancing at me with an increased regularity

It is a remote supposition but I feel that this raven girl

Once owned the mobile phone that lies dormant in my handbag