Girl on the Platform (2 page)

In no time at all, they had arrived at Euston and were clambering off the train with a sea of rushing passengers. ‘Come on!’ Pushing through the crowds, they hurried along. ‘Quick, Mark!’ Pete yanked him forward, ‘the taxi-rank is over there.’ He pointed to the far end of the shopping area.

With the crowd surging up behind them, they shuffled down the steps, then along the corridor, and now they were at the top of the steps to the underground. ‘Look! There are plenty of taxis.’ Mark peered over the handrail at the ever-moving row of taxis below.

‘Maybe, but there are still more people than taxis,’ Pete said, giving him a little shove. ‘Keep moving.’

In a surprisingly short time they were climbing into a black cab. ‘Do you know any cheap B&Bs?’ Pete asked, the taxi driver.

‘Somewhere close to Soho.’ Mark chipped in, ‘in case we get too drunk to find our way back…’

‘Ssh!’ Pete gave him a dig in the ribs. ‘He’s right though. It would be good to get somewhere within walking distance of the centre. It
would
save us money on a taxi back.’

‘I just might be able to help you out there.’ The driver started the engine and inched forward, one ear pressed to his mobile phone. ‘That’s right…two young men, just the one night. Yes, they look okay.’

He glanced in his mirror to observe his two passengers. He thought Pete seemed like a regular, responsible guy, with his cropped brown hair and dark, sincere eyes. He seemed to have an easy, quiet way with him too. His gaze lingered on Mark, who seemed a bit edgy. ‘You’re not out to cause trouble, are you?’

‘Absolutely not!’ Mark was offended. ‘We’re just out for a night in London.’

The driver returned to his conversation. ‘No, they seem all right. The blond-haired one is a bit lippy.’

Mark leaned forward. ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

‘It means what it says…you’ve got a bit too much lip on you.’

‘You’re right,’ Pete intervened. ‘I’m always telling him…he doesn’t know when to shut it.’

‘Oh, that’s right!’ Folding his arms, Mark
slunk back into his seat. ‘Gang up on me, why don’t you?’

The driver explained, ‘No offence meant, mate. The only place you’ll get bed and breakfast near Soho is at my sister’s guest house. I’m just making sure I don’t take a heap of trouble to her door.’ He laughed out loud. ‘Mind you she’s no pushover. Right from when we were kids, she’d always get the upper hand.

‘There are five of us…two girls and three boys. Leila might be the youngest, but she’s the fieriest…it’s the
Italian
blood you know.’

For a moment, he concentrated his attention on the traffic lights ahead. Once they had rounded the corner, he continued, ‘As I was saying, two of my brothers got in a fight with some kids from the East End. They were getting the worst of it, when the word got back to Leila. She kicked off her shoes and ran barefoot all the way there.’

‘So, what happened?’ Mark asked.

‘She just launched herself at them…biting and scratching like a wildcat. We heard later, she’d bitten off a part of one of their ears.’

‘Bloody hell! She sounds like a mad woman!’ Wide-eyed and frantic, Mark looked at Pete. ‘I think we should look for somewhere else to stay the night!’

Pete laughed. ‘Stop worrying. If you behave yourself, you might get away in the morning, with both ears intact.’

‘Look at it this way,’ the driver grinned at him in the mirror, ‘you couldn’t be in safer hands. If anybody gives you trouble while she’s around, they’ll rue the day.’

When he dropped them off outside a Victorian house, Mark lingered outside. ‘Fighting off two boys…she’s either off her rocker or she’s built like an outhouse!’

‘She doesn’t worry me!’ Pete sounded confident, but he didn’t feel it.

‘Liar!’ Mark pushed him up the steps. ‘If you’re so brave, you can go first!’

‘All right, I will!’ Pete told him boldly. ‘Why should we be frightened of her anyway? We’re here to enjoy ourselves, not to cause trouble. All I want is to check in, freshen up a bit, and head off to the theatre.’

While Mark hung back, Pete rang the doorbell.

‘What do you want?’ The young woman who opened the door looked to be in her early twenties. She was strikingly beautiful, with wild dark hair and a smile that momentarily lit up the street. She was obviously expecting someone else, because when she saw Pete and Mark, her
smile slid away and her attitude was less welcoming. ‘I have no time to waste,’ she grumbled, ‘so please, have the good manners to answer my question. Why are you here?’

Lost for words, Pete stared at her. ‘Er…’ he took a deep breath, ‘we’re here to check in for the night.’

The young woman stepped out, her curious gaze sweeping over Pete, and then behind him, to where Mark was looking at her with his mouth wide open. ‘The taxi driver…spoke with…the owner—your mother,’ he stammered, thrown by her fierce good looks and wishing he’d taken more trouble with his appearance. She was fantastic! He felt his stomach rise to his chin, and he was trembling inside. ‘We were told you had a couple of rooms available.’

‘Really?’ Giving Mark the whisper of a smile, and a look that sent him weak at the knees, she looked from him to Pete. Then swinging away towards the door, she instructed in her strong Italian accent, ‘You may come along!’

Like meek little lambs, and with Mark not knowing what had hit him, they followed her inside.

She led them to the small desk in the lobby, where she took out a ledger from underneath
the counter. Flinging it open, she pushed it towards Pete. ‘Sign here.’ She pointed to Mark who was still hanging back behind Pete, ‘You too.’

Handing them each a pen, she explained, ‘Your rooms are numbers ten and twelve, on the first floor. Breakfast is between eight and ten-thirty. After that, there is no food to be served. And there are rules.’

‘What kind of rules?’ Mark felt uneasy.

‘
Strict
rules!’ She stared him out. ‘There will be no shouting or fighting; no peeing in the handbasin, and no being sick on the carpets. You will not steal the towels when you leave, or pinch the loo-rolls, and you are absolutely not allowed to bring women back here.’

‘It’s worse than the Foreign Legion!’ Mark muttered.

Giving him a disapproving glance, she demanded, ‘Do you mean to defy my rules?’

‘Absolutely not!’ While oddly smitten with this magnificent woman, Mark maintained his refuge behind Pete. ‘I would
never
defy your rules!’

Again she turned to smile at him, and when he smiled back, her cheeks coloured.

Having both signed the register, Pete told her, ‘My friend might seem a bit odd but he’s
normally well behaved. Later though, we’ll be going out clubbing, so what time does your mother lock the front door?’

‘My
mother
?’ She lowered her gaze. ‘I have no mother.’ Her voice trembled, as though she was about to cry; but then in the next minute, she was laying down the law.

‘These are
my
premises.
I
make the rules, and
I
am telling you both, the front door will be locked at one minute past midnight. If you shout, or bang on the door and make a nuisance of yourself, I will call the police and have you taken away!’

Mark was stunned. ‘
Midnight!
’ he groaned. ‘It’s too early! Clubs stay open till the early hours…we’ll have to leave at half-past eleven to get back here on time!’ He appealed to Pete for help. ‘Tell her, Pete. It’s too early!’

When Pete made no comment, she turned to him. ‘Well? What have
you
to say?’

‘He’s right,’ Pete argued. ‘It
is
too early, and we were really looking forward to checking out London night-life.’

‘So, you’re telling me you don’t want to stay here?’

‘No! I mean…well, yes. Can’t you please change the rules, just this once?’

Mark was ready to leave. ‘We’d best look for
somewhere else,’ he said. ‘She’s not gonna change her mind.’

‘You are free to go if that’s what you want!’ she told them both. ‘I do not change my rules for anyone. This door will be locked at midnight. I must warn you though, my guest house is the only one close to Soho; the main hotels are much further away. They are also very expensive, and you will not get service with a smile, like here. Also, you must pay the taxi to get you to the clubs and back again…that is, if you can even
find
a taxi in the early hours. It’s very difficult you know.’

She slammed the ledger shut. ‘I see your mind is made up. So, goodbye. I’m sorry I could not help you.’

Sweeping past them, she opened the front door and gestured for them to leave. ‘Please go now.’

‘Hey, hang on a minute!’ Pete was panicking. ‘Just give us a minute to talk.’

‘Why?’

‘Because I need to persuade my friend.’

‘Talk then!’ Closing the door, she remained on guard. ‘Please, make it quick. I have work piling up.’

Taking Mark aside, Pete said, ‘Look mate, we’ve only got so much money. So, this is the choice.

We either spend the bulk of our money on taxis, and hotel rooms that cost the earth. Then when we’ve had our little night out, we’ll be lucky to find a taxi that will take us back again. That’s if we’ve enough money left to pay for it!’

Mark was really fed-up now. ‘So, what do you suggest?’

‘I think we should stay here,’ Pete decided. ‘It means we’ll have to be back by midnight, and I’m not happy about that either, but at least we’ll have a bit more money to enjoy what time we’ve got.’

‘I don’t like the idea of getting back here by midnight!’ Mark moaned.

‘Neither do I, but what choice do we have?’

Mark was still hopeful that she might change her mind. ‘Ask her if she’ll just give us an extra hour. Tell her we really will go somewhere else if she doesn’t help us out.’

‘
NO!
’ The landlady had overheard them. ‘I do
not
change the rules for you or anyone. I already told you…the door is locked and bolted on the stroke of midnight. Go or stay, you decide now.’

With very little choice in the matter, the boys decided to stay.

Before she would hand over the keys, she had another rule. ‘Payment in advance, please.’

‘What!’ Mark was ready for an argument.

‘You pay me now, or you leave.’

‘That’s ridiculous!’

‘You pay me
now!
’ Her dark eyes flashed with anger. ‘If I don’t have my money now, how do I know you will still be here tomorrow morning?’

‘Because we give you our word.’

‘Your word is no good to me! Your word will not pay my bills.’ When she shook her head, her wild dark curls swung across her face, and once again Mark couldn’t help but notice how pretty she was. ‘I don’t even know who you are!’ she snapped. She began brandishing the pen. ‘How do I know you won’t run off?’

‘Because we always pay our way!’ Pete tried to calm the situation.

She brandished the keys in his face. ‘Do you want the keys?’

‘Of course!’

‘Then you pay me
now!
’

Mark stepped forward. ‘We’re not thieves.’

She gave a wry little smile. ‘And I am not a charity!’

‘Don’t you trust anyone?’

‘Never.’

She watched them as they counted out the money, then she swooped it away and handed
them the keys. ‘The lift is out of action,’ she said happily, ‘you will please find the stairs at the bottom of the hall.’

Climbing the steep, narrow stairs was like climbing Everest. ‘She’s a bit of a nut case,’ Pete remarked.

‘Maybe she is.’ Mark was remembering her dark, moody eyes.

Pete laughed aloud. ‘It sounds like you fancy her. You don’t…do you?’

Mark sighed. ‘You have to agree, she’s a goodlooking woman…all that Italian passion.’

Pete grinned. ‘I could see you were eyeing her up and down, and so could she.’ He gave a sideways grin. ‘I reckon she might fancy you an’ all.’

Mark blushed to the roots of his hair, ‘Give over.’

‘I’ve never seen you so smitten,’ Pete said.

‘Well, do you blame me? She’s got the perfect figure; and long, thick hair you want to run your hands through; oh, and she’s got a mouth to die for. I tell you, Pete…I wouldn’t mind kissing her.’

‘More fool you!’ Pete reminded him of the taxi-driver’s story. ‘Don’t forget how she took a bite out of that kid’s ear.’

Mark gave a sly little chuckle. ‘You needn’t
worry,’ he boasted, ‘she would never bite
my
ear off. She’d be far too busy, checking out my body.’

Both Pete and Mark were unaware that Leila was standing at the foot of the stairs, listening to every word.

She went quietly away. ‘So, you’re the one, are you? My brother was right…you
do
seem like a bit of a handful.’

She quickened her step, her eyes alight with mischief. ‘I think I should teach you a lesson for talking about me like that,’ she murmured, ‘…one you will not forget in a hurry.’

Some time later, Pete and Mark climbed into a taxi. Showered and shaved, they looked ready for anything.

‘I hope the show is as good as everyone says.’

‘Stop moaning!’ Pete gave him a dig in the ribs. ‘It’ll be an experience if nothing else.’

Arriving at the Adelphi Theatre, they clambered out of the taxi. Mark was still grumbling as Pete paid the driver.

‘If it gets boring, I’m off to the clubs!’ Mark mumbled as they went inside.

‘Give it a rest!’ Pete strode on ahead. ‘I hope you don’t intend grumbling and moaning all night!’

‘I’m just saying, that’s all!’

‘Well, you’ve had your say, so now shut up and enjoy.’

As it turned out, they enjoyed the show from beginning to end, and afterwards it was all they could talk about. ‘That was amazing!’ The two of them chatted excitedly about the great night they were having.

They hailed a passing taxi, and the greyhaired driver pulled his cab into the side of the kerb. ‘Where to, mate?’ he shouted through the open window.

For the first time, Mark and Pete realised they knew nothing about London clubs. They had no idea where to go, or which one might be the best. ‘We’re looking for a good club,’ Mark told him hopefully.

‘And not too expensive, because we’re a bit short of cash,’ Pete cut in.

The driver scratched his head. ‘Get in, and we’ll see what we can find, how’s that?’

Half an hour later, they were driving through Soho. One by one they dismissed the clubs; one was too scruffy; one had a group of thugs hanging about outside; one was too quiet and now they were beginning to lose heart. ‘Look, we’re not so short of money that we can only afford the worst dive in London!’ Mark groaned. ‘Surely you’ve an idea where there’s a small lively club with something going on?’

‘Maybe!’ The driver went to the top of the street and turned right. Half a mile further on, he stopped at a side street. ‘There y’ go…Andy’s Place…cheap and popular, with the best music in town.’

‘So why didn’t you bring us here first?’ Pete asked.

‘Well, sometimes you might find one or two unsavoury characters lurking about and looking for trouble. Now and again a street woman might pop in looking for business if you know what I mean?…But as a rule, they’re sent packing. So as long as you don’t encourage them, you’ve nothing to worry about.’

Jumping out of the cab, they paid the driver and sauntered up to the front door. ‘So far, this has been a great night out,’ Mark laughed. ‘I wouldn’t mind coming back to see another show.’

Once they were inside the club however, all Mark could talk about was his chance of pulling a great-looking girl.

Having got himself and Pete a beer, Mark glanced about. ‘This place is full of pretty girls.’

Clutching his pint, he turned towards the dance floor, where swarms of clubbers were writhing to the throb of the music in a weird kind of frenzy.

Eyes bright, Mark took a long, leisurely sip of his beer. ‘You know what, Pete?’

‘What now?’

‘I reckon our luck’s in tonight.’ Mark peered
hopefully across the dance floor. ‘It looks to me, like most of the girls are on their own, or having a girls’ night out with their mates.’

Pete wiped his finger up the side of his glass to collect the leaking froth and glanced about. ‘You could be right.’ Licking his finger, he then put his glass to his mouth, and took a long, deep drink.

‘If I had a voice like that Lee bloke from the musical, I’d have the girls falling at my feet,’ Mark boasted.

Pete laughed. ‘D’you reckon?’

Mark nodded. ‘Too right!’

‘See that girl over there?’ He pointed to a blonde in skimpy white shorts and a low-cut pink top.

Pete nodded. ‘You can hardly miss her.’

‘Well, she’s mine. So hands off!’

‘She’s got a bloke with her…’ Pete pointed to the guy at the other end of the bar. ‘He’s only left her to get himself a pint.’

‘No. You’ve got it wrong. He’s not with
that
girl. He’s with the blonde, who I think might be his sister?’

Mark shook his head. ‘I don’t think so.

‘Just don’t go pushing in where you’re not wanted.’

Ignoring Pete’s warning, Mark pointed to the
man again. ‘Look! He’s back with the darkhaired one.’

Pete nodded, ‘Okay, but like I said, make sure of your ground before you make a move.’

Mark gave him a friendly shove. ‘Stop worrying! I know what I’m doing. I’m not an absolute prat!’

Pete laughed. ‘You could have fooled me!’

Pete went silent.

Mark thought he knew why Pete had gone quiet. ‘You’re still thinking about that girl on the platform, aren’t you?’

‘I might be.’

‘You are!’

‘Okay, so I am.’

Mark could not understand it. ‘What’s
wrong
with you? You’ve only seen her the once, and even
that
was from a distance! A couple of times I talked to you at the show, and you were miles away. It’s like she’s imprinted on your mind.’

He had never seen Pete so preoccupied. ‘Either it really
is
love at first sight, or she’s a witch, and she’s put you under her spell.’ Waving his fingers, he made a ghostly sound.

Pete warned him off. ‘Don’t talk rubbish!’

But Mark was worried. ‘Think about it, mate. She could be married anyway. Or she might be
a nasty piece of work no one would touch with a barge pole.’

Pete had already considered all these things. ‘All right. You’ve made your point. Now change the subject, will you?’

‘I’m sorry, mate,’ Mark apologised. ‘I was only thinking of you. I mean…you don’t know that girl from Adam.’

‘I thought I asked you to change the subject?’

‘Okay, keep your hair on.’ Mark knew when to stop, and he did.

‘Fancy another drink?’ Slapping a fiver into Mark’s hand, Pete asked, ‘Get me a lager, will you?’

Downing his pint, Mark brought two more. ‘We’ll finish these and wait a few minutes. Then I’m thinking I should make a move on the blonde girl.’

Pete went along with the idea. ‘Right! You go for her, and I’ll chat up the other one.’

‘Like I said…it’s our lucky night.’

‘Okay, okay!’ Pete gestured towards the dance-floor. ‘The bloke’s back!’

Mark was curious. ‘Look there! He’s brought the dark-haired one back with him.’ Now all three were dancing together.

‘Best leave them to it then, eh?’ Pete said. ‘We don’t want to start world war three.’

While Mark was watching the three of them, a young auburn-haired girl was watching
him.
After a while she caught his eye and smiled at him.

‘Hey, Pete!’ Mark couldn’t help grinning. ‘Did you see that? I pulled without even trying!’

While Mark danced with the auburn-haired girl, Pete was content to stay on the sidelines and watch. He was fascinated by the other three. One minute the bloke was dancing with the blonde, and the next he was dancing with the dark-haired girl.

Wandering to the far end of the bar, he sat on the stool, lost in thoughts of that lonely girl seated on the platform bench. He could not understand why he was so smitten with her. She hadn’t even looked at him. But
something
had drawn him to her, and now he couldn’t think about anything else.

‘Maybe Mark is right,’ he thought aloud, ‘maybe she really
is
a witch.’

‘I hope you’re not talking about
me
?’ A soft voice invaded his thoughts.

Startled, he swung round to see a pretty face looking up at him. Tall and willowy, she was wearing white jeans and a dark, fitted top that followed her every curve. ‘I’m sorry…’ he smiled down at her, ‘I was just thinking aloud.’

The girl moved closer. ‘So, who’s this witch you were talking about?’

Pete felt foolish. ‘Oh, it’s just some girl.’

‘Not a witch then?’ Her eyes seemed to melt right into his.

He gave a soft, nervous laugh. ‘I hope not.’

‘Who is she then?’

Pete shrugged. ‘Like I said…she’s just a girl.’

‘Is she
your
girl?’

‘No.’ But oh, how he wished she was.

Encouraged, she closed in on him. ‘Do you have a girlfriend?’

Pete shook his head. ‘Not at the minute, no.’

‘Are you looking for someone?’

He gazed down at the pretty face and wondered if she was just playing games with him. ‘I might be. Why? Are you offering?’

She smiled. ‘You never know.’

‘Would you like a drink?’

‘Thank you, no.’ She leaned towards him. ‘You can ask me if I need a
friend
though.’

‘Well, do you…need a friend, I mean?’

‘Why?’ She had a definite look in her eye. ‘Do you want to be my friend?’

Pete shrugged. ‘That depends.’

‘On what?’

‘On whether you’re using me to make a boyfriend jealous. Are you?’

She laughed out loud. ‘Aren’t you the cagey one?’

‘You still haven’t answered my question.’

She shifted nearer. ‘Look…’ Laying her hand on his arm, she told him quietly but firmly, ‘I do
not
have a boyfriend. Nor am I the kind of girl who would use one man, to get at another.’

She took hold of his hand and drew him off the stool. Without a word, she led him across the room, and through the door on the far side.

Pete went with her willingly. He could feel the warmth of her hand in his; but it was the other girl who filled his thoughts.

From across the dance floor Mark was surprised to see them leave. ‘Where’s
he
off to?’

‘Who?’ The auburn-haired girl followed Mark’s gaze, in time to see Pete and the girl leaving.

‘That’s my mate,’ Mark explained. ‘I just wondered where he was going with that girl’

‘Her name is Maggie,’ she told him with a giggle. ‘She’s the landlord’s daughter, and that door leads to their private quarters.’ Snuggling up to him, she whispered, ‘I hope your friend knows what he’s doing, because I hear Maggie has a
huge
appetite…if you know what I mean?’

Mark laughed. ‘In that case, she’ll probably take his mind off that other woman.’

‘What other woman’

‘A woman he hasn’t even met yet.’

‘What do you mean?’

Mark smiled at her. ‘Never you mind.’

They enjoyed the music and the dancing, and when Mark commented on Pete being gone for so long, she laughed. ‘I
told
you Maggie had a huge appetite.’

‘What about
you?
’ he asked. ‘What’s your appetite like?’

‘Good enough, I expect.’

‘So, do you fancy going through that door?’

‘Nope.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because my boyfriend’s just arrived, and I’d hate for him to beat the pulp out of you.’ With that, she ran over to where the guy was already making a beeline for Mark, an ominous expression on his face and his fists clenched tight.

Mark might have squared up to him, but one look told him to back off. ‘Oh, God!’ Over six feet tall with bulging muscles, the ‘boyfriend’ was baying for blood. ‘Time to go!’

He began a hasty exit towards the main door, but the guy beat him to it. ‘In a hurry are we?’

‘Leave him alone!’ The auburn-haired girl got between the two of them. ‘He’s no threat to you,’ she yelled, ‘…
he’s gay
.’

‘Like hell he is!’ The blond guy with the two girls pushed his way through. ‘I’ve been watching this creep! He’s not gay. He’s been eyeing my girls all night. I’ll teach him a lesson he’ll never forget!’

Before he could get to Mark, an almighty noise erupted from overhead. There was the sound of a woman’s voice screaming, and what seemed like furniture being thrown about. ‘That’s Maggie!’ The barman set off at a run towards the private quarters. ‘Quick, she’s at it again!’

Pandemonium followed, with everyone running up the stairs with Mark in front. ‘Run for it, Pete!’ he kept on shouting. ‘Run for it!’ Then somebody clapped him round the ear and deafened him.

Upstairs, the barman put his shoulder to the door and burst into the room. There was Maggie, with Pete at her mercy.

Handcuffed to the bed, his shirt torn to shreds and his trousers round his ankles, Pete looked terrified. ‘Get her off me!’ he screamed, ‘she’s a bloody maniac!’

There was an outburst of laughter as the barman wrenched them apart. ‘I’ve told you
before…’ he warned Maggie, ‘…some men don’t enjoy the things you do. Now unlock the handcuffs and behave yourself.’ Pete lurched off the bed and the barman threw him across the room. When Pete’s trousers tripped him up, the bloke with the two girls dragged him to his feet and slung him head-first onto the landing.

‘Take your poncy friend and don’t ever show your faces here again!’ Grabbing Pete and Mark by the scruff of the neck, the bloke sent them crashing down the stairs. They landed in a heap at the bottom, and the bloke called a warning. ‘If I do see you again, we’ll lock you both inside and let Maggie loose on you.’

As the pair fled down the street, with Pete tripping and falling as he tried to pull up his trousers, the sound of hearty laughter echoed after them.

‘Taxi!’ The B&B was close enough to walk to, but they needed a quick getaway. By the time Mark hailed a taxi, Pete had managed to pull up his trousers. ‘Leila’s guest house, and hurry please.’ Mark dragged Pete into the taxi. ‘My mate here is feeling a little worse for wear.’ He laughed out loud.

The driver grinned to himself. He recognised the signs—hair standing on end; the bewildered look and the trousers at half-mast.
He glanced at Pete through his driving mirror. ‘Looks to me like you’ve had a tussle with our Maggie.’

‘You could say that,’ Pete zipped up his trousers, ‘how did you guess?’

‘Let’s just say, we’ve all been there.’

Frantically running his hands through his hair, Pete played it cool. ‘I don’t want to talk about it,’ he said. ‘Just get me away from here.’

‘That’s enough!’ While Mark fell about laughing, Pete was not amused. ‘Just shut it! Get me back to the B&B.’

The landlady was waiting at the door. ‘You look like you had a good night!’ she taunted as Pete hobbled in. ‘Ooh! You didn’t meet Mad Maggie by any chance, did you?’

When Mark slyly nodded, she gave Pete a wicked smile. ‘Oh, dear! I could have warned you about her. That one has a bad reputation, for bringing the men down to size…so to speak.’