‘No, I wanted to book an event for a… birthday, sort of thing, like a birthday party. Is that the sort of thing you do?’ I began looking around the room for another door that would lead to the roof.
‘Yes, anything like that, work dos, hen nights, we’ve even done a few weddings. When were you thinking of booking for?’
‘I was hoping to get a look at the rooftop, to see if it would be suitable for the—’
‘Your party? Right, well, unfortunately I’m on my own today, and I’m not insured to be up there. My colleague is out assessing other potential sites and I can’t let you up there alone – health and safety and all that – so did you want to make an appointment to come back and view it another day? Also, I can show you the floor plan here.’ She pointed to an open pamphlet on the desk. ‘Or you can view the website, which has many images of that particular rooftop—’
‘That’s great, but I really need to see the rooftop. Are you sure you can’t escort me up there?’ I pointed to the ceiling.
She shook her head. ‘I can’t, I’m afraid.’ She pulled her mouth into a tight smile and I knew she wasn’t going to budge.
‘Right, okay then.’ I looked down at the desk. ‘Can I grab a couple of these then?’ I pointed to the pamphlets.
‘Of course, take a handful, spread the word.’ She handed over a pile with an inordinate amount of keenness.
‘Great.’ I stuffed them into the outside pocket of my rucksack.
‘Just give us a call and I can get you booked in for a viewing.’
‘Okay, will do, thanks.’ I turned and walked out of the small office and headed through the door to the stairway, I placed my hand on the bannister and looked upwards. This building was about another two storeys high. There could possibly be a door to the roof if I carried on up. The receptionist was unable to take me, but although I wasn’t supposed to, there was no one stopping me from heading up there by myself.
I looked behind me to check that I was I alone and that I could make the move and leg it up the stairs, before anyone caught me. I decided this was one of those moments when you just had to take the opportunity that was being presented. I needed to feel the fear and do it anyway.
I took a deep breath, swung one last look behind me at the closed door, then headed up the stairs. I walked up two more floors until I reached the top where there was one final door. I stood and caught my breath as I read a sign that said: This way for the rooftop screening.
I crossed my fingers, pushed the door and to my relief it opened.
I stepped out into a glorious otherworld. I looked down to my left and dragged a large pot plant to the door to wedge it open; I didn’t need to be stuck out on a roof top with only one route out. I took a moment to take it all in. It was as though I had stepped into a fairy tale; there were huge potted trees all around the perimeter, white seats were in the middle, each row raised slightly more than the next. There was a bar with a Caribbean-style thatched roof, and outdoor heaters were placed in the corner of the seating and also in the centre.
I took a quick glance behind me, sure that someone must have followed me, that I couldn’t have this magnificent haven all to myself. Then I reminded myself why I was there. I needed to find the opposite end of the rooftop to where the screen was facing to see the view that Lucy would have and to try to work out where she was living and posting her comments from every day.
I walked to the back of the rooftop, which was heavily secured around the sides, and even then, when I looked over the side, the drop was only a few feet to a fire stairway. But still, I felt a surge of uneasiness. Something terrible would happen. With nothing to hand to take away the stress, I closed my eyes and imagined I was at home brushing my teeth; I counted out loud to thirty-four. I opened my eyes and blew out a long breath. I looked out over at the row of buildings directly opposite. I took out my phone and looked at the photo again, as if it might give me more of a clue, but, of course, it wouldn’t, she had taken it from the inside, and I was standing on the outside looking at three or four buildings that could all have an equally central view of the rooftop. I did, however, know that it would have to have been taken from a higher part of the building, meaning that she either lived in an apartment or she was extremely affluent and owned an entire four-storey house.
Assessing the possibilities, I knew I would have to go and ring every house and apartment until I found her. I took out my phone, went into Instagram and found the image of lucybest65 looking out of her window. I looked longingly at the photo once more, willing it to show me something more. Then I double-blinked as I spotted something. It was a purple flower, just peeking up from outside the window, and there were two silver brackets attached to the inside of ledge. Of course, it was a window box. She has a window box! I looked up from my phone and across at the houses, scanning back and forth. I spotted two, the first one was a silver box with a flurry of yellow and orange flowers, not a speck of purple in
