The suitcase

This story is just so well written, with pace, tightness of delivery, and excellent syntax. In the main, it's set on the London Underground, and the author fully conveys the claustrophobia underlying the story and the anxiousness of its central character. It moves at a brisk pace and you share the character's underlying fear of her fellow passenger. But apart from his appearance, well-described as grimy and smelling of alcohol, as well as a suspicious suitcase, neither she nor the reader knows the reason for this fear. This is one of the hallmarks of a strong short story. You become increasingly unsettled as the train reaches its destination. I'll not spoil it but there's a terrifying twist in the tale. I have to say, in all honesty, that this story made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end from the first sentences, and for a while after finishing reading it. Great to see such an effect delivered in what is quite a short short story! Message to author: more of the same please!