"Have you any idea of the damage you've done", she stormed. Pinpricks of red burnt in her cheeks.

"And all the people with families. Do you realise what we've all lost?"

He looked abashed but very quickly recovered his confidence and, to Sarah's increasing annoyance, just stood there, unperturbed, smiling his nerdish smile looking self satisfied.

"It's 'dog eat dog' these days, Sarah. Between you and me, to succeed, you've got to accept the world has changed. Learn to live by the new rules - the government has taught us that. Of course, if you try to tell that to the Liquidators or anyone else, I'll sue you for everything you've got left."

"You spotty little runt. Have you got absolutely no conscience", grimly accused Sarah.

"Sticks and stones, Sarah ... look, why don't you let me help you. Your standard virus checker won't be able to deal with the strain that you've got there but I've got an antidote I've tweaked and it'll do the job all right for you. If you haven't used your computer much yet and if you load this program into it, you should be able to save most of your files.

Of course if you don't and you log onto another computer you will just spread the virus and, as you've seen, it's a pretty mean one." He smiled at her with pride in his voice " - although I do say it myself."

He shambled over and picked up a small computer disk from from among several others that lay on a messy kitchen work top. Jumbled cables and computer parts were scattered everywhere.

He turned, looked back at her - paused as a thought crossed his mind. A cunning glint was in his eyes. Nervously, he shifted from foot to foot. He slowly slipped the disk into the pocket of his jeans – out of Sarah's reach.

"Perhaps we could do a trade. You never had time for me. You were always stand -offish. You wouldn't even give me the time of day if you could avoid it. Maybe it's different now I've got something you want? You're a good-looking lady. Maybe we could do a trade. I'll give you a good time".

His eyes travelled up and down her taking in her plain blue one piece dress with its high collar, tight waist and V line skirt. Meaningfully his tiny eyes moved on to the couch in the corner. It was strewn with computer magazines and the remains of a cereal breakfast. The deal he was proposing was clear.

In disgust, Sarah stared at his spotty face and skinny body. The red shirt that needed ironing and jeans that bagged at the knees. Although it was nearly three o'clock in the afternoon, he still hadn't yet bothered to shave.

"If the files were really important, you'd be willing to do a lot to save them wouldn't you … Sarah." His tongue moistened his upper lip and his sardonic smile turned gradually into a leer as he read the mixture of anger and helplessness his words brought to her face.

The situation to Sarah seemed completely unreal. Was she going insane? The records on her computer were very important and she did need them urgently. He had surmised correctly. His position was clear. If she wanted the antidote, she would have to deal with him on his terms. There was no other way.

With red flushed face and brooding eyes, Sarah jabbed out her hand for the computer disk. He reached inside his pocket and drew it out but held it close to his chest. His breathing was shorter now as thought he saw in her eyes the beginning of a bargain.

He smiled wolfishly. His seedy mind, fuelled with hours spent browsing adult members sites on the Internet was already relishing the thought of having her. It wouldn't be a one way show. She'd have to respond with passion. She'd have to do everything he wanted.

She took a step towards him and his spirits soared in anticipation. He reached out to pull her to the couch. Maybe she would struggle a bit. That would be good. He'd rough her up then she'd eat out of his hand. Perhaps she'd clean his flat before leaving, just like his mother used to when he lived at home.