He looks at his phone. Speedy touches. A message. A reply. A comment. Snapchat, WhatsApp, or Tik Tok? He’s too young for Facebook or Insta.

In between, he glances around the bar. His eyes are watching, absorbing every detail, scrutinising everyone. He goes back to his phone.

He doesn’t realise that he’s also being watched. I observe him. And every so often, he raises his eyes to meet mine and quickly looks away.

He swallows beer from a trendy glass, and then a barman brings him another drink. Something in a tall glass.

Is he a university student? Is he waiting for somebody? Is he passing time? Has somebody stood him up?

And then he repeats the routine.

Studying his phone. Texting. Eyeballing. He gives nothing away.

Without warning, he gets up and leaves.