"the tie-breaker question for 100 points ..."

Katy worried at her cuticles. There was a lot riding on this. Too much. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves.

In....2....3...out....2....3.

The host took a dramatic pause. She could hear the clock ticking loudly. She moistened her lips risking a glance at the group on the next table. How could they look so calm? Was their heart not beating in their ears.

Dawn, next to her, said something she didn't quite catch. Whatever it was, it made Lisa guffaw. A big manly laugh at odds with her petite physique.

Focus, people' she thought, though she said nothing. They made fun of how seriously she took the pub quizzes. To the others they were just an excuse to have a few drinks after work. The quiz coming second to simply a night away from their husbands and kids. Not for Katy.

This one, especially meant more. It meant everything. The prize money was £1000. It was her ticket away. Her ticket to freedom. To a new life...