When Cole noticed one of the two guys in overalls at the next table had turned to stare at him, he returned the stare and spread his hands. The guy spoke through a mouthful of something that might have been sausage. “You order at the counter, mate. This ain't no Dorchester, that’s for sure.”
The other guy looked up and pointed his fork at Cole with a paint stained hand. “Don't worry, mate. Most of us survive the food in here. It shouldn't kill you.”
Several people laughed and the girl behind the counter called out, “I heard that Nicky.” She never took her eyes off her phone.
Cole got to his feet. “Cheers mate.” He approached the counter and the girl looked up. “Yes?” she asked.
“I’ll have the all-day breakfast with tea.”
“£4.90.”
Cole handed her a fiver. “Keep the change.” He eyed her up as she leaned forward to reach for the note. It gave Cole a lovely view down her chest, and he wondered if she did it on purpose. He smiled at her when their glances met, and she batted her false eyelashes at him without returning the smile. The message was clear from her down curled lips, and Cole returned to his table to wait.
The heavy shower had passed by the time Cole finished his food, so he nodded to the two guys beside him and left. Before he got to Portobello Close, Cole bought a baseball cap and a cheap pair of sunglasses and put them on. The ‘For Sale’ sign marked out her house, and Cole stopped short of it on the opposite side of the street. He leaned against a wall and lit a cigarette while he surveyed the area. It was a quiet road, with few houses and fewer pedestrians. As he smoked the cigarette and studied the house, an idea formed. Would he have the bottle? It was time to find the nearest pub.
34
Mark Flanagan and his girlfriend got out of the taxi on Wymering Road and walked to the entrance with the Beauchamps Estates ‘For Rent’ sign outside. Hannah blew a kiss at him as he opened the main entrance to the apartment block. They hurried up to the second floor where Flanagan rapped on the apartment door.
“Just making sure,” he said to Hannah.
She giggled at him. “You know what this does to me, don't you Marky?”
He put his fingers to his lips, listened, then unlocked the door. Once inside, he called out, “Hello? Anyone at home? This is Mark from the agency.”
Hannah poked him in the ribs. “It’s vacant, right? So there’s no-one here.”
He grabbed her and pulled her close. “The things I do to keep you satisfied.”
“Doing it in these places turns me on.”
He kissed her on the mouth, then broke away. “I’d never have guessed.”
“Where will we do it?”
“Where do you want? The beds have duvet covers, but no sheets.”
She walked down the hall. “How many bedrooms in this one?”
“Three.”
She turned, raised her eyebrows and fluttered her lashes at him.
He laughed. “Ain't got time for all three.”
“What happened to Stud Boy?”
“He’s still here.” He thrust his pelvis at her. “Horny little minx.”
She pulled him into the first bedroom and peeled off her top. As Flanagan finished undressing, his phone rang. He reached into his trousers and pulled it out.
“Leave it, Marky.” She stepped out of her skirt and wiggled her hips at him.
He brushed her off. “Client. Gotta take this.” He lay back on the bed and took the call. “Hi. This is Mark from Beauchamps.”
“Mark, it’s Ian Morgan. Portobello Close.”
“Hi Ian. All good?” He waved a hand at Hannah as she slipped off her panties and ran her fingers through her lush pubic hair.
“Yes. Yes. Listen, Alice and I will be away until Monday.”
“Somewhere nice?”
“I wish. Alice is going home to Copenhagen. I've a conference in Frankfurt.”
“Oh.” His hard on sprung to life as Hannah ran her hands up his legs and giggled.
Ian’s voice sounded distant. “It’s fine to have viewings while we’re gone.”
“Great. Great.” Flanagan shifted on the bed to get away from Hannah, but she grabbed his hard on and took it in her mouth. Before he could stop himself, he let out a low groan.
“You okay there?” Ian asked.
“Yeah. Yeah. You, like, still looking yourself? Have you found anything yet?” He clenched his teeth so he wouldn't gasp.
“Not yet. Keep looking for us. It would be good to view several places when we get back.”
He rolled his eyes as Hannah continued. “Will do, Ian. Look, er, I’ve got another call.”
“Sure. Oh, by the way, your dad said to say hello.”
“Oh yeah? He couldn't tell me himself, huh? Thanks anyway.”
The call disconnected and he let the phone drop. “Jeez, Han. What are you doing to me…?”
35
Alice stared out the window of the taxi as it sped from Copenhagen Airport along Amagerbrogade. She smiled at the returning familiarity of her home city. Her smile broadened when she heard the sound the taxi’s tyres made as they drove across the Knippelsbro to Børsgade. No matter the past, the present or even the future, Copenhagen would always be home. She resolved to fix as much as she could over the next few days. Perhaps then, she could return without being haunted by memories from the past.
Despite the road works on Rådhusstræde, the taxi made good time.
