Life In Parks

by P R Johnson

Chapter 14

  ‘Now, who wants an ice-cream?’ The bearded man stood and clapped his hands.

  ‘I do.’ Philippa raised an arm.

  ‘And you, young Matthew?’

  ‘No, thanks.’

  ‘Not a fan of ice-cream? Suit yourself.’ The man pulled from his trouser pocket a roll of money held together with a rubber band and said: ‘Pippa, my dear, behind those trees you will find a refreshment kiosk. Run and fetch a couple, would you? I want one with a chocolate flake and a sprinkling of nuts.’ He extracted a bill from the roll and returned the rest to his pocket.

  ‘Are you coming, Matt?’ the girl asked, but the bearded man waved her away.

  ‘There’s no need. I am sure you will find it on your own. Besides, it will give me and Matthew the chance to get to know each other better.’

  Shrugging in acceptance, the girl headed towards the tree lining. As soon as she was out of earshot, the man stood and leaned against the basin of the fountain, at Matthew’s side.

  ‘A lovely girl is Philippa,’ he said. ‘But I worry about her, really I do. Someone so fragile has no right to be living this way.’

  ‘She doesn’t seem so fragile to me,’ Matthew replied. ‘Not from what I’ve seen.’

  ‘You are right: in some ways she is not fragile at all. To have survived a winter on the streets takes enormous strength and resolve. It is what’s inside her heart that is troubling me. I fear that if she spends much longer living from hand to mouth, this city is going to swallow her; and, who knows, it may never spit her out. You have not known her long, have you?’

  ‘I only met her today. She was begging on the street and asked me to buy her lunch.’

  ‘Vegetarian?’

  Matthew nodded.

  ‘Very Philippa.’ The man smiled. ‘And I suppose that charity is more appealing when accompanied by a pretty face.’

  ‘I hadn’t noticed.’ Matthew shrugged. ‘How long have you known her?’

  ‘We met last September, just as winter was about to break. A mutual friend brought her to see me; thought I might be able to help.’

  ‘Help her, how?’

  ‘Some kind of guidance, I guess. I bought her the odd cup of tea. Ice-cream, if that was what she needed. Although, believe me, in winter, when you have no roof over your head, the last thing you need is ice-cream. Everyone has their foibles, however, just as everyone has their secrets.’

  ‘Do you know her secrets?’

  ‘Matthew, my friend, if I knew her secrets, by definition they would not be secrets, would they?’

  ‘I’m sorry, but I was led to believe that you are The Sage of Ash Tree, the man with ‘insight’ about things.’

  The man smiled. ‘You shouldn’t believe everything they say about me. I have gained a certain reputation, I know, but I’m afraid it is largely unfounded. If a problem is made up of zeros and ones, I might have a chance of deciphering it. But human emotions are rather more complex, difficult to break down into units.’

  ‘If you say so.’

  ‘Most mathematicians would concur. Remind me again, Matthew, what is it you dislike about numbers?’

  ‘What is there to like? Five comes after four. Six comes after five.’

  ‘It is a shame you feel that way. Numbers can be very helpful; can open many doorways.’

  ‘Like what?’

  ‘They can offer glimpses of the future, for instance, as well as snapshots of the past.’

  ‘The future,’ Matthew sneered. ‘Why are people so worried about the future?’

  ‘Knowledge brings comfort, I guess.’ The man dipped his hand into the water and swirled it round. ‘Maybe you are right. Maybe it is better if we don’t go chasing tomorrow, but let tomorrow arrive when it is good and ready. Who knows? It might be more fun to stumble over hurdles, rather than focusing solely on the finishing-line. However, it takes a huge amount of strength not to keep an eye on what is to come, wouldn’t you agree?’

  Matthew’s lip curled in agitation. ‘Listen, I don’t know what you’re trying to tell me, and to be honest I don’t want to know. Believe me, the last thing I need is to be taking advice from someone like you.’

  ‘Someone like me?’

  ‘A filthy down-and-out who talks out of his arse.’

  The man smiled and dried his hand on the fabric of his trousers. ‘I can see I underestimated you, Matthew. You are obviously a better judge of character than I suspected.’

  The man was still smiling by the time the girl emerged from the trees carrying three rapidly melting ice-creams. She gave one of the ice-creams to Matthew, who took it despite protestation. The bearded man licked the edges of his own ice-cream and seemed unconcerned by the recent exchange.

  ‘What about you, Philippa? Is there anything I can do for you today?’

  The girl shook her head. ‘I don’t think so. I just thought it would be nice to come and see you on such a precious day.’

  ‘What is so precious about today?’

  ‘The sun is shining and the squirrels are happy.’ She looked towards the trees and then at the sky. ‘On second thoughts, there is something you can do. Talk to me about the sun.’

  ‘What would you like to know?’

  ‘What makes it shine so brightly?’

  ‘Metaphorically or actually?’

  ‘You choose.’

  ‘Well, what actually makes the sun shine is basic nuclear fission. All those hydrogen and helium atoms bashing together, in a mass over three hundred thousand times that of The Earth, it tends to create a bit of a bang. A constantly hellish bang, in fact. With a surface temperature of around ten thousand degrees Fahrenheit, I would say it is not the most hospitable place to go for your summer holidays, either. You would certainly get a tan, though.’

  ‘And what will happen to The Earth when the sun dies?’

  ‘A rather morbid question, if you don’t mind me saying. There are several theories. Most believe that the planets of the solar system will be consumed as the sun burns itself out, with the dying star trying to suck in whatever energy is at hand. Mind you, that should not happen for another five billion years; so, nothing to worry about just yet. Now, if we are done with the Science lesson, tell me what the rest of the day holds for you two.’

  ‘I have to run a couple of errands and then who knows?’ the girl replied.

  ‘You should go and see my friend Enzo. Tell him I sent you. He owes me a favour.’

  ‘I haven’t been to his place for ages. If I go, would you like to come along?’

  ‘I am afraid I can’t. Tonight I am seeing a man about a number of particularly wily dogs.’

  Matthew remained silent, absorbed in his own ruminations. While the bearded man chatted with the girl, mentioning places he had not been and people he did not know, he sat on the edge of the fountain basin, swishing his hand through the temperate water. The strong sun made him feel unfocused and lackadaisical, and his eyes blurred as drowsiness overtook him. He only became fully aware, a short while later, when the girl tapped him on the leg.

  ‘How about we head off, sleepy.’

  ‘OK,’ he said and swallowed to help moisten his mouth. ‘I’m ready when you are.’

  The bearded man stood and shook him by the hand. ‘It has been a pleasure, young Matthew, and I sincerely hope you negotiate your tricky crossroads.’

  ‘Likewise.’ Matthew forced a smile.

  ‘And you, Philippa. You take care out there. These streets are no place for a lady such as yourself.’

  The girl smiled. ‘With a little luck, the streets won’t have to put up with me for much longer.’

  ‘With a little luck, they won’t.’ He nodded.

  The girl kissed him on the forehead. ‘I know I haven’t said this enough, Mr Cox, but thank you.’

  ‘For what?’

  ‘Oh ... you know. And if you don’t know, I’m sure you could work it out with or without a calculator. Well, goodbye, Mr Cox.’

  ‘Be seeing you,
Philippa.’

  ‘I hope so.’

  Leaving the man alone with his book of children’s drawing exercises and his calculator, the pair headed back through the park. Just as they were passing the tree where they had seen the squirrel, the girl asked: ‘Well, what did you think of him?’

  Matthew shrugged. ‘Just another insane man living in a park.’

  ‘Still, pretty impressive for an insane man, don’t you think?’

  ‘Maybe. He’s not as old as I was expecting.’

  ‘He’s in his late thirties; that’s still pretty old.’

  ‘I guess. What else do you know about him, apart from his age?’

  ‘Not much. Like I told you before, people on the street tend to keep quiet about the past. From what I’ve heard, though, he used to be a Maths teacher.’

  ‘A teacher, what, in a school?’

  ‘That’s what they say. In fact, the rumour goes that once upon a time he had everything: a job, a home, a wife.’

  ‘And what happened?’

  ‘Sold his soul to the devil, if you believe what people say. He may have learned to see the bigger picture, but he had to give up everything in the process.’

  ‘Sounds like a bad fairytale if you ask me. Are you sure he’s not just a big fraud? I mean, he’s not short of money, is he? He had a massive bundle of notes in his pocket.’

  ‘He even has a car parked somewhere. An old sports car. He’s taken me for a ride a couple of times. In the summer he sleeps in the park. But when it’s cold he sometimes sleeps in his car.’

  ‘Let me get this straight,’ Matthew said. ‘If he’s got money and a car, why the hell is he living rough?’

  ‘It’s all a question of numbers.’ The girl assumed a deep voice in imitation of the bearded vagrant: ‘The world is governed by Mathematics, my friend, but every so often the sums just don’t add up.’

  They caught the underground train to the station from which they had departed, and when they emerged onto the street, the thoroughfare was busy with traffic. The smoke of exhaust fumes made breathing a chore.

  ‘What now?’ Matthew asked as they loitered by the station exit. ‘Do you want me to walk you back to the burger joint, see if your spot is still free?’

  ‘Actually, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask. Which hotel are you staying at?’

  ‘It’s just down there on the right, overlooking the river.

  ‘You don’t mean The Guinevere, do you?’

  ‘Maybe.’ A fresh note of caution sounded in his voice.

  ‘I didn’t realise you were a little rich boy.’

  ‘I’m not.’

  ‘The rooms in The Guinevere are dirt cheap, I suppose.’

  ‘No. But it doesn’t mean I’m rich.’

  ‘You’ll have to explain that one to me.’

  He sighed. ‘I was kind of left some money when my grandmother died. Not a huge amount. And when this weekend is over, most of it will be gone.’

  ‘I see.’ Smiling coyly, the girl looked into his eyes. ‘I wasn’t being nosy. I don’t care if you’re penniless or a millionaire. I was just curious to know whether I could use your bathroom.’

  ‘I guess that’d be all right.’

  ‘You’re a superstar. I can’t remember the last time I had a bath.’

  ‘A bath? I thought you meant you needed the toilet.’

  ‘That, as well. Two birds with one stone and that kind of thing.’

  Making the short walk to the hotel, they passed the hotel doorman, who nodded a greeting to Matthew, and stepped into the expansive lobby. As they moved across the marble floor, Matthew’s trainers made their customary rubbery squeak, bringing a stare from the receptionist.

  As they waited by the lift doors, the girl took a moment to gaze at the ornately decorated hall. Just as the lift was arriving, however, something caught her eye and she cursed under her breath. Grabbing Matthew’s arm, she pulled him toward the staircase and up the carpeted flight. Only when they were on the first floor and out of sight of the lobby did Matthew see fit to speak.

  ‘What was that about? The lift was on its way, you know.’

  ‘There was someone in the lobby I didn’t want to see. That’s all.’

  ‘Here in the hotel? Who?’

  ‘Nobody important. Now, which floor is your room on? We may as well walk now we’ve started.’

  ‘The next floor up.’

  With Matthew leading the way, they ascended to the second floor and proceeded along the corridor towards his room. He was unable to fend off curiosity for long, however.

  ‘So, who was this person you didn’t want to see?’

  ‘Just a friend of my father’s. You don’t think he saw me, do you?’

  ‘No idea.’

  ‘It would really screw things up if he did.’ With a shake of the head, she added: ‘But I don’t suppose there’s a lot he can do, not now, anyway.’

  Matthew swiped his key through the electronic lock and showed the girl inside. With her mind still clearly distracted, she carried her rucksack into the bathroom and bolted the door.

  ‘Make yourself at home,’ Matthew mumbled, now alone in the room.

  Within seconds, he could hear bathwater running, and so he sat on the bed and reached for the television remote. His stomach was aching dully, but he took a chocolate bar from the mini-fridge and ate it, nevertheless. He opened a can of coke and reclined on the bed to watch a foreign soap opera.

  Half an hour had passed when a pressure began mounting in his bladder. He held the urge as long as he could, but finally approached the bathroom door, through which he had not heard a sound for some time.

  ‘Are you all right, Pippa?’ he called. ‘The thing is, I kind of need the toilet.’

  To his relief, the door was unbolted and the girl came out wearing a bath towel round her body, with another, smaller one, tied over her head. The fresh scent of apple soap followed in her wake.

  ‘I’m sorry, but it’s pretty urgent,’ Matthew said.

  ‘No problem; I was finished, anyway.’

  With the bathroom free, he scuttled inside and locked the door.

  He emerged a couple of minutes later to find the girl sitting upright on the bed, rubbing the smaller towel vigorously against her head. The towel round her body had ridden up and thin legs were exposed mid thigh.

  ‘You can get back in there now,’ Matthew said, trying not to stare.

  ‘Thanks, I’m fine where I am.’

  ‘Right. What should I do in the meantime?’

  ‘Whatever you want; it’s a free world. You can watch me get dressed if you like. I’m not a prude.’

  While the girl reached into her rucksack and produced a white bra, Matthew turned and walked to the window. He remained there for several minutes, noticing from time to time the trace of the girl’s reflection in the glass. When he eventually looked round, she was fully clothed, wearing jeans and a blue T-shirt that clung tightly to the understated curves of her chest.

  After spending a couple more minutes drying her long dark hair, she reached and took a hairbrush from her bag. In the same movement, however, she knocked the bag onto the floor, scattering its contents.

  Matthew helped gather the things, amongst which were some underwear and a packet of tampons. There was also a small container of pills, which had rolled towards the mini-bar. Matthew retrieved the container and handed it over.

  ‘Sleeping pills,’ she said, as if in justification. ‘It’s not always easy to sleep on the streets, especially when it’s cold. Anyway, it’s better than the rubbish most of the others take.’

  With her bag rearranged, she ran the brush through her hair. Again, Matthew stood to one side, not wishing to stare, but unable to avert his eyes.

  ‘Do you want a drink or something?’ he said eventually.

  ‘No, thanks. But I am starting to get hungry.’

  ‘There’s chocolate in the fridge.’

  ‘I was thinking of someth
ing more substantial. I’ll tell you what, how about I take you out for dinner? Repay you for buying me lunch. There’s this little place just the other side of the river, the one that Mr Cox was talking about.’

  ‘How are you going to pay for that?’

  ‘With favours,’ the girl winked. ‘Don’t worry, Mr Cox is owed plenty of favours in this town and he said I could cash one of them in. So, how about it?’

  ‘I’m not sure,’ Matthew said, his former reluctance arising. ‘I’m kind of worn out after today.’

  ‘Warn out?’ she scoffed. ‘We went and sat in a park. Hardly the most exhausting activity. Listen, you’ll have to come because I don’t want to eat alone. Not tonight.’

  He shrugged, fed up of resisting. ‘OK, only I’ll need time to get ready.’

  ‘Just don’t take forever.’

  With reluctance but certain haste, he freshened up in the bathroom, sprayed his armpits with deodorant and brushed his teeth.

  Soon they were retracing their steps down the grand staircase to the hotel lobby and onto the street. They made their way along the riverside promenade and crossed a bridge to the southern bank, whereupon the girl began leading him down side-streets that quickly disoriented him.

  Stopping at a public telephone booth, the girl asked him for some spare change and told him to wait while she made a call. Although he watched her through the window, he was unable to hear the ensuing conversation.

  ‘Reserving a table at the restaurant?’ he asked as she emerged a few minutes later.

  ‘No. Just trying to arrange something for later. Something that may involve naked girls.’

  ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

  ‘Exactly what I said.’

  Continuing on their way, they passed a row of restaurants and fast-food establishments that emitted the cloying odour of cooking grease. Matthew’s legs were tiring, the pain in his stomach had returned, and yet he followed without complaint. They turned into a narrow, well-lit alleyway that led to a service-road at the rear of the shops. While most of the shop-backs were cordoned by fences and locked gates, the first open gate they came across led to a building from where the sound of hectic activity could be heard.

  ‘This is the place,’ the girl said as they passed through the gate towards the building.

  As Matthew followed, he caught the distinct aroma of herbs, which helped overpower the smell of trash that otherwise hung in the air. Stepping to the back door, the girl knocked loudly and after a few seconds, the door was opened. Standing in the doorway was a tall man dressed in chef’s whites.

  ‘So, the hungry want to be fed again, eh?’ The man nodded, retaining a severe expression. ‘Is Mr Cox not with you tonight?’

  ‘No, he couldn’t make it. He sends his regards.’

  ‘Regards are fine, regards are good, but you can’t live on regards forever. Tell him to come and see me; we have things to discuss. Now, what are you two after?’

  ‘Whatever’s going spare,’ the girl replied. ‘As long as it’s meat-free.’

  A broad smile broke out on the chef’s lips. ‘You, young lady, I like. You are easy. Vegetarians cost me little. It’s your meat-eating friends that are driving me to ruin. Wait here and I’ll send something out.’ He turned and disappeared inside.

  Set to one side of the courtyard were a couple of upturned wooden crates, one of which the girl sat upon. She signalled for Matthew to take the other. Within a couple of minutes, a different chef emerged and handed her a plastic container full of steaming pasta strips. The pasta was smothered with green-speckled tomato sauce and protruding from the dish were two metal forks.

  ‘Enjoy,’ the chef grunted before he too disappeared inside.

  ‘It’s a good job the food here is tasty,’ the girl said once they were alone, ‘because the ambience is utter crap. You’d think they’d be more grateful what with all Mr Cox does for them.’

  ‘What does he do for them?’

  ‘Tells them what they want to hear. I believe it’s football results, mainly. They certainly do all right out of him, that I can assure you.’

  The girl picked up the forks and handed one to Matthew. Holding the container between them, she twirled her fork in the pasta and took a mouthful.

  Although he had no appetite, Matthew scooped a forkful to his mouth and blew on it before taking a bite.

  ‘Is Mr Cox forced to sit in the alleyway when he comes here?’ Matthew asked, having swallowed a mouthful.

  ‘Surprisingly, they don’t like homeless people going into the restaurant proper. They reckon we ruin the mood.’

  ‘I guess they have a point ... present company excluded. By the way, you might have to apologise to your friend next time you see him. I may have been a bit rude to him earlier.’

  ‘Mr Cox? Why, what happened?’

  ‘I don’t know. He was spouting a load of crap about hurdles and finishing-lines. I think he was talking about the future. Anyway, I told him what I thought of his views.’

  ‘Don’t worry, I’m sure he didn’t take offence.’

  ‘It’s just, I got a load of that spiritualist, clairvoyant crap from my grandmother when she was alive, and it really did my head in.’

  ‘I’d hardly call Mr Cox a spiritualist. Are you talking about the same grandmother who left you all her money?’

  ‘That’s right.’

  ‘And she used to believe in fortune-telling?’

  ‘Very much.’

  ‘Then maybe she’s not so different from Mr Cox, after all. You know what he told me once?’ She assumed the voice of the older vagabond again: ‘Be careful out there, Philippa. The future can seem like a stroll in the park. You go out looking for the swings and roundabout. But more often you find yourself having to avoid dog turds and broken bits of glass.’

  They shared the pasta strips until the plastic container was empty. The girl took the forks and the container to an outlet tap beside the kitchen door, rinsed them and deposited them on the kitchen back-step.

  ‘Shall we go?’ she said. ‘The smell of rubbish is beginning to get up my nose.’

  ‘Sure. Where to now?’

  ‘Anywhere you want. But first, I have to see a friend. It won’t take long; she works just round the corner from here.’

  ‘What does she do?’

  ‘She’s a dancer.’

  ‘What sort of dancer?’

  ‘The sort men like best. You’ll see.’

  As they emerged onto the main road, darkness was slowly falling, highlighting the vibrant signs and murky interiors of countless fast-food outlets. A man and woman were arguing in the doorway of a public house and seemed unconcerned who witnessed the scene.

  With the sound of the rowing couple receding, the girl asked:

  ‘Have you ever been to the ballet, Matt?’

  ‘No. Have you?’

  ‘Many times. In fact, when I was younger I wanted to be a ballerina. I had all the lessons, the proper equipment, but it never worked out.’

  ‘Is it too late to try now?’

  The girl smiled. ‘Far too late for me. I guess I lacked talent, that’s why it didn’t happen; a simple lack of ability. Of course, there comes a time when you realise that some things are not meant to be.’

  They rounded a corner into a quieter side-street and halted in front of an imposing metallic door. There was no handle on the door and the girl slapped her hand against it, making it rattle tinnily. After a few seconds, there came the clunk of bolts being released and the door was opened to reveal a huge black man dressed in smart jacket and tie. When he saw the girl, his severe expression gave way to a brilliant white smile.

  ‘Hi, stranger. Where you been hiding?’

  ‘Nowhere exciting,’ the girl said. ‘I’ve come to see Jane. She’s expecting me.’

  ‘You know she’s working, right?’

  ‘We only need a couple of minutes. I’ll catch her when she’s on a break.’

  ‘You’d better come in, the
n.’ Allowing her inside, his thick arm blocked Matthew’s path. ‘Your friend will have to go round the front and pay if he wants to get in.’

  ‘I told you, we won’t be staying long. If it makes you happier, he can keep his eyes closed all the while.’

  The black man lowered his arm and his smile returned. ‘Go on. Just pray the boss doesn’t find out, or we’ll all be for it.’

  The girl pulled Matthew inside and the suited man closed the metallic door behind them. Unaccompanied, the pair walked along a corridor and up a small flight of steps, passing through another set of doors and into a smoky bar lit by numerous blazing spotlights. Light reflected from the wooden panelled floor and made the drifting cigarette smoke seem prominent and alive.

  Matthew eyed the various groups of men who were standing about the establishment. A few tables were occupied by solitary drinkers.

  ‘It’s best that we find somewhere out of the way,’ the girl said.

  ‘Do you want a drink?’

  ‘No, we won’t be here long enough. I doubt you’ve got enough cash to buy drinks here, even if you are a little rich boy.’

  Almost as soon as they sat, the jaunty beat of a pop song sounded on loudspeakers, the spotlights dimmed and the gathered men fell silent. From a side-door emerged a blonde-haired girl dressed in a bikini top and hot-pants, and she began dancing towards the centre of the floor in a supple, energetic routine.

  ‘Hope you enjoy the show,’ Philippa said above the din of music.

  Swivelling to keep his eyes on the dancing girl, Matthew failed to notice as another girl approached from behind, only realising she was there when he heard her speak.

  ‘Hi, Pip, Toby said you were here.’

  Matthew spun to see the new arrival crouching beside their table, revealing cleavage in the V-line of her partially unbuttoned shirt.

  ‘Who’s your friend?’ the newcomer asked, nodding at Matthew.

  ‘Just someone I met. He’s really nice; he let me use his hotel bathroom.’

  ‘A tourist, eh?’

  ‘Something like that.’ She looked at Matthew. ‘You’d better wait here, Matt, we need a couple of minutes alone. I’ll be right back.’

  She stood and followed the other girl to the next table along. Matthew eyed the new girl’s short skirt and black-stockinged legs that reached to stiletto shoes. With his senses under bombardment from every angle, his gaze flitted constantly; one moment watching the blonde dancer as she unhooked the bikini to reveal large, round breasts; the next watching the other two girls deep in conversation. At times, he observed the reactions of the leering men and the bored expressions of the barmen and bouncers.

  Unable to catch what the two girls were saying, he noticed nevertheless their serious demeanours and the fact they were clasping hands across the table. His gaze returned to the disrobing blonde as she pulled down the hot-pants to reveal a thong that covered only the deepest crack of her behind. The music was reaching its climax as she stepped out of the underwear, exposing a narrow strip of pubic hair shorn very close to the skin. On the other table, meanwhile, he spotted Philippa lean and kiss the girl lightly on the lips, before both got to their feet and embraced.

  With the stiletto-heeled girl walking away, and the naked, blonde girl exiting the way she had come amid applause from the punters, Philippa returned to Matthew. The music had died down and she placed a hand on his shoulder.

  ‘We can go now.’

  Matthew’s thoughts were hazy as they walked along the corridor to be let out the same metallic doors through which they had entered. Nevertheless, he was pleased to step into the darkening evening and feel the cool breeze against his flaming skin.

  ‘That was interesting,’ he said, with the girl seemingly subdued. ‘Brief, but interesting. Who was that girl?’

  ‘Just a friend.’

  ‘Does she work there?’

  ‘Yes, she takes her clothes off for money,’ she replied forlornly. ‘It’s a crappy job, but while there are randy old men on this planet, someone’s got to do it.’ Her tone remained low-key as they walked the emptying street. ‘She’s been a good friend to me and I needed to see her to sort out a couple of things. Now, if you’ve still got your grandmother’s money burning a hole in your pocket, do you mind if we get a taxi? I’ve had just about enough of walking these shitty streets.’

  Relieved, because his legs were aching, Matthew hailed a passing cab and the pair sat in silence as they were driven across the river towards his hotel. Within fifteen minutes they were standing before the revolving doors of The Guinevere hotel.

  ‘What happens now?’ Matthew asked, fearful of the possibilities.

  ‘I don’t know. What do you want to happen?’

  ‘You can come up to my room if you like. Have a drink from the mini-bar.’

  ‘I’ll have to come up.’

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘I left my bag there.’

  ‘I see. And what if that friend of your dad’s sees you?’

  ‘It doesn’t matter. There’s nothing he can do now.’

  They passed through the revolving door, one after the other, and crossed the foyer unchallenged by staff or guests. They climbed the staircase to the second floor and proceeded to his room. Once inside, the girl sat on the double bed, swung her legs up and stretched with a yawn.

  ‘It’s a very comfortable bed,’ she said, allowing her eyes to close.

  ‘I know. I’m paying a lot of money for it.’

  With eyes still closed, a grin came to her lips.

  ‘What are you smiling about?’ Matthew asked.

  ‘Oh, nothing. I was just thinking what a perfect day it has been, thanks in no small part to you.’

  ‘I’m pleased you’re pleased.’ He advanced to the mini-bar. ‘I didn’t mention it before, but it’s actually my birthday today.’

  ‘Really? Happy birthday, Matt. You should have said. Anyway, it simply makes the day more perfect. Do you know what would really make the day complete?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘If you made love to me.’

  He gazed at her, and now the girl was looking back with intense, dark eyes.

  ‘I’m sorry?’

  ‘I’m being serious. If you made love to me, it would be the perfect end to a wonderful day.’

  ‘Make love. What, just like that?’

  ‘Just like that. No fears, no fuss; just allow our bodies a moment of freedom. What do you think?’

  Matthew shrugged, his heartbeat skipping. ‘I … I guess it’d be OK. If you’re sure it’s what you want.’

  ‘I really think it is.’

  With an agitated spring in his step, he returned with a pair of miniature bottles of whisky and a can of coke. He placed the unopened drinks on the bedside cabinet and reached for his holdall. Fumbling round, he retrieved the packet of condoms and advanced towards the bed. He took off his shoes and hesitantly climbed on the bed by her side. She leaned and planted a kiss on his arm and then stroked where she had kissed.

  ‘What’s that you have?’ she asked, looking at his hand.

  ‘Just some protection.’ His voice was croaky. ‘I’m afraid they’re shaped like animals, but I think they’ll do the job.’

  The girl shook her head. ‘We can’t use those. I’m allergic to rubber. We’ll have to do it au naturel.’

  ‘What about …’

  ‘Diseases? I haven’t got any, and I doubt you have, either.’

  ‘I was going to say ‘pregnancies’.’

  ‘I’m not going to fall pregnant. Not tonight.’

  ‘How can you be sure?’

  ‘I just know. Pregnancy is not on the agenda, trust me.’

  The girl took the packet from him and dropped it to the floor. She placed her cold hand round his neck and eased him towards her.

  ‘Now, forget that the universe exists and just hold me tightly; as if you could never let me go.’ She kissed him lingeringly on the lips.

  Matthew felt a shudd
er course through his body as nerves gripped him entirely. The sense of inevitability was so strong, however, that by the time they were both naked, locked in a lover’s embrace, his spirit felt illuminated and the nerves had been shaken from his body. Everything felt right and as it should be. The girl’s touch was gentle as she took from him his virginity, showing him an intimacy that he had only ever dreamed he would experience.