"The thing is that we all live within our little islands, huddled together in big cities, protected by our routines and habits. We touch on the tube train and immediately apologise. We avoid each other's eyes and hide behind our newspapers. Yet we've all got plans and hopes and things that are important to us. I mean the real us not the sanitised robots that our colleagues see."

She paused as if coming to a decision. "I'm Sarah"; she said holding out her hand. "Free-lance secretary and housewife".

"Peter", he replied as he shook her hand. "At the moment, I run the Data Processing Department for that company over there." He pointed to a skyline office block in the middle distance.

She saw him turning his wedding ring around on his finger. He hadn't said that he was married.

"And of course this", he said pointing to his ring, "is a real conversation stopper."

"I suppose only if people are talking to each other for the wrong reasons", said Sarah. "Surely it's always comforting for a girl to know that a man is married. It tends to suggest that at least one woman in the world doesn't think he's a monster."

He laughed. The ice was broken again and they chatted easily for the next ten minutes. As she got up to go, there was regret in her voice as she excused herself.

"I had better get back to work. It really has been a big pleasure meeting you."

"For me too. I hope we meet again", he added. There was a touch of gallantry in his voice. "I'd look forward to that".

As she got up to go, she smiled. "In that case, kind sir, I shall not say goodbye but just: "a bientot".

She had mentioned translation skills. He noted her accent seemed very correct with her voice rising at the end of the phrase in the typical French way.

As she walked away, he gazed a while at the sway of her hips. He rather suspected that she knew he was watching her and it gave him a kick to think that she may not mind.

Pursing his lips in a soundless whistle of private appreciation, he turned back to his print outs again and soon became engrossed.

The columns detailed directors share dealings over the past few days in selected companies. His analysis had identified a series of purchases that were intermittent but definitely not random. Rapidly he checked and confirmed his calculations. Then he used his mobile telephone to make the order. With a quiet confidence, he bought 40,000 shares at 450p, a deal amounting to £180,000.

Peter's broker was friendly and professional; happy to deal with a client who knew his own mind and who dealt regularly and successfully. The business was quickly concluded and Peter cut the connection. He felt an enjoyable rush of adrenaline from his carefully calculated gamble.

He turned his thoughts back to the woman. She was pretty but he doubted she'd ever understand casual conversation could never compete with the satisfying feeling of power from making a deal. He contemplated with pleasure his current plans. It was his biggest and most exciting play to date. Nothing could stop him succeeding. The thought gave him a quiet but deep satisfaction.

He decided to log onto the Internet after dinner. The chess game he was engaged in with a net buddy in Toronto was nearing its climax. His trap had been laid and was ready to be sprung. He got up from the bench and as he strolled towards the exit, he relished the disappointment in his opponent as he accepted defeat.