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Wafting up from the vents was the smell of curry. They walked up a further two sets of stairs.
‘Christ, how many more? It better be worth it.’
‘Nearly there, big man.’
He wasn’t unduly worried. He was used to Asia. He was used to strange smells and dirty alleyways and heat and grime and he was used to places not feeling quite right. The small buzz of fear that he had felt when he first found himself alone as a foreigner on a faraway street had long since left him. Once every few months he made the same trip to Asia. He had lost his wonderment, his adrenalin rush at the fear of the unknown. He didn’t care for Chinese food any more. Now he longed for curry and a cold pint of beer. Now he just sat in cocktail lounges that could have been anywhere in the world. Ruby understood it. She knew he was used to being out of his comfort zone and he would not back out now. He had come this far. He would have it all now.
They reached her apartment door.
‘This isn’t a restaurant.’ He looked around, still smiling, a little less relaxed, a little less tipsy.
‘This is where I live, big man. Come in and I will ring the restaurant and get us the best table. While we wait I will get you a drink, make you happy…’ She smiled teasingly and brushed her hand over his crotch, softly, lingeringly. ‘I like you a lot. I am going to give you a real good time.’
‘Sounds good to me.’ He pulled her to him, held her by the bottom and thrust his hips at hers. She quickly opened the door and led him inside.
He stood just inside. ‘Are you boiling gammon? I haven’t smelt that since I was young. My grandmother always boiled gammon.’
Ruby didn’t answer; she led him past the kitchen where steam rose from boiling bones, now stripped of their flesh and rattling in the scummy water. The bones belonged to a man named Matt Simpson. His glasses were still on the side of the sink. His head was feeding the lobsters. His photo was sitting in the arms of a boy doll dressed in a blue bo
Ruby took his hand and steered him into her room, she closed the door behind him.
Five men had entered her room, stepped into her secret world. Five men had entered, none had left. He was the sixth.
Chapter 10
Ma
‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to be sharp.’
He heard her sigh. ‘You have every right, son.’
‘No, I don’t. You did the right thing in keeping the truth from me for most of my life. It was great while it lasted.’
‘It would have lasted longer if she hadn’t got in touch.’
‘It wouldn’t have gone on much longer, I would have always found out in the end. His assets existed whether you wanted them to or not. Anyway…I’m glad she, Magda, did get in touch. I liked her, Mum, whatever Dad was or wasn’t he loved her and I was proud to know her in the end. It was difficult, it was uncomfortable but I found a brother I never knew I had. I hope you will agree to meet him one day.’
‘Perhaps, son.’
‘I’ll see you soon, Mum.’
The Cantina Bar was decorated with a mix of sci-fi memorabilia. It was a place he felt comfortable, cherished even, amongst the chirrups of R2D2 and the hyperdrive floor that seemed to collapse as you walked on it before it spun you off into a black hole. But, most of all, what attracted Ma
‘Where you been, Joh
‘I’ve been to hell and back, Miriam. I could do with some intensive nursing.’
‘I left you a few messages.’ She tried not to smile.
‘I’m sorry, Miriam.’
The barman glanced over and batted his eyelashes. Ma
‘I was worried. I heard you got ill.’
‘I got malaria. I’m fine now. I just can’t sleep. I need a bedtime story and a glass of milk. Let me buy you di
‘I was really worried, Joh
He smiled, looked into her eyes. ‘I’ve missed you, Miriam. I’ve missed the way you laugh. I’ve missed the way you pretend to be angry at me. I’ve so missed feeling you fall asleep in my arms. But, work has had me ru
She stood and stepped closer to him. Ma
Back at his flat, Ma
‘It’s been a while since we did this.’
He pulled her close. ‘Too long.’ He kissed her neck. She drew back.
‘But you haven’t been lonely.’
He pulled back at looked in her eyes. They were searching his.
‘You’re the only woman who comes here, Miriam, honest.’
‘Really? Since when have you been wearing perfume?’
Ma
Chapter 11
‘Gin and tonic, right, Steve?’
Ruby was working fast to put him at ease. She could see by his face as he looked around her room that he was wondering if he’d made the right decision. He was wondering why they hadn’t just gone to his hotel room or straight to the restaurant. You hungry, big man? You want some fun? Spend the evening with me? Now he wasn’t so sure.
‘Yes, Ruby. I thought we were going for something to eat? Is this where you live?’ He looked around the tiny apartment. ‘Jesus, what a shithole. Sorry – no offence. Is this it? Everything in this room: kitchen, bathroom? What’s in there?’ He pointed to the curtain.