The Girl by the Thames

by Peter Boland

  “Can I come?” asked George.

  “No,” said Sarah. She took the boy by the hand and led him back into his playroom.

  Tanya followed Greg up a plush carpeted staircase with a thick white wooden hand rail. It felt smooth and pleasant as it slid beneath her palm. Not like the metal ones on the estate that were always bent and broken. And everywhere was clean. It was so luxurious to be in a place free from dirt. Back home, Tanya had tried to keep the flat clean, but the asthmatic vacuum cleaner they had made it impossible.

  They entered a square room with a high ceiling and sash windows that looked out over a tidy rectangular garden flanked by oak trees. The room smelt of fresh paint and the furniture looked brand new. Greg dropped the bags on the bed.

  “You’ll be our first guest. We’ve just had the whole place decorated. You should have seen it a month ago.”

  “It’s amazing. I feel like the Queen,” Tanya said. “Are you sure it’s okay for me to stay here?”

  “Yeah, of course. Make yourself at home.”

  Tanya had got bad vibes off his wife downstairs. Her frostbitten words weren’t exactly welcoming, but Tanya didn’t like to say anything. Now wasn’t the time to ask him if his wife was always such a bitch, not after she’d just opened her home to Tanya.

  “Put your stuff away and then come down stairs and join us for a cuppa.”

  “Thanks, Greg.”

  Tanya looked around the room at the pristine white wood furniture. It all looked too good to put her skanky clothes in. She couldn’t leave them lying on the bed in carrier bags either; that would be even worse. Maybe she could just stuff them under the bed.

  This was stupid, it was just furniture. She sat on the end of the bed and pulled at one the drawers. It slipped out as easy as exhaling. Tanya opened and closed it several times, enjoying its silky movement. So this was what it was like being rich: everything was easy, even opening drawers. Not like the battered ones at home which opened with a stutter and had to be closed with a shove.

  Tanya stopped when she noticed some patterned paper inside covering the bottom of the drawer. At first Tanya thought it was some wrapping paper left over from Christmas. Then she got a whiff of the floral scent coming off it. She checked the other drawers and saw that they had sheets in them too. This house was so posh that even the inside of the drawers had been decorated.

  She tipped her clothes in, not bothering to fold them and then lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Life was slightly bizarre at the moment. She felt like she was being yo-yoed around. One minute high, next minute low. Tanya tried to work out how the next bit was going to go.

  Downstairs she heard George chuckling away in the kitchen. His mum was trying to shush him without much success. Tanya was envious of the happy childhood he had ahead of him, being loved and spoiled. She didn’t begrudge him it. Just because she missed out on it didn’t mean others had to.

  Tanya walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. It was huge and spotless with a cooker that seemed to reach up to the ceiling and French doors out onto the garden. A large rectangular dining table dominated the centre of the room. George sat at one end, spreading yoghurt over his face. He smiled at Tanya, but his mother didn’t. There was a long battered brown leather sofa at one end of the kitchen, where Greg was fast asleep.

  “Hi, Nanya,” said George, half gurgling with yoghurt.

  “Hi, George. Are you enjoying that?”

  “It’s okay.”

  “Looks like it’s all caught up with Greg,” Tanya said, trying to tease some conversation out of Sarah.

  “Yes, it’s been exhausting for him.”

  “I bet.”

  “What happened to your face if you don’t mind me asking?”

  “Oh, my dad did it.”

  “That’s terrible. Greg’s dad used to hit him. I think that’s why he took pity on you.”

  “Oh.”

  “He had a terrible upbringing. Very violent. Even after he left home, the violence seemed to come after him. It does that, you know. Violence follows you around like a dog. But he changed his life, got away from it and bettered himself. It takes a strong will to do that.”

  “Er, I never knew.”

  “He’s a good man.”

  “I know.”

  Sarah took a damp cloth and started cleaning George’s mouth. She spoke without looking at Tanya. “I don’t want that violence to come back again.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Sarah stopped and looked at her. “Please don’t think I’m a snob, or I’m judging you. And tell me if I’m wrong, but you look like trouble.”

  “Oh, thanks.”

  “Well, are you?”

  Tanya couldn’t think of any smart comeback for that. The woman’s straightforward question had Tanya pinned against a wall. The truth was Tanya didn’t know. A couple of days ago she would have said yes and been proud to be thought of as a troublemaker; an anti-social teenage delinquent, a hoodie or whatever. She used to like the fact that people would cross the road when they saw her coming. It was a badge of honour, an achievement. But after meeting the whale and Greg, things were changing. She was still a feisty good-for-nothing, but now there was something else. Not exactly hope, she never really looked on the bright side of life, but something that might turn into hope. The seed of something was growing. It was fragile and needed to be looked after, but it was definitely there.

  “I know you think I’m a bitch,” Sarah continued, “and I don’t care. I have a family to think about. We don’t have to like each other. Just promise me one thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You won’t bring any trouble to this house.”

  Sarah looked Tanya straight in the eye. She hadn’t said it maliciously; it was more like a plea.

  Greg began stretching and moaning. It was followed by a yawn that went on forever.

  “Daddy’s awake,” said George.

  “Hi, little man. How long was I out for?”

  “About 10 minutes,” his wife said.

  “I could murder a cup of tea.”

  “Sure. Do you want one Tanya?”

  “Yes please. Let me make it.”

  “Don’t be silly, you’re our guest, now sit down. Would you like a biscuit as well?” Sarah had suddenly changed and was now the charming little housewife. Tanya wanted to hate her. Normally she would have had no problem. Strangely though, she could sort of understand her. If she were Sarah, there was no way she’d let a complete stranger from a dodgy estate into a home like this. She was going along with her husband’s wishes and she knew that once Tanya was out of sight, Sarah would be having serious words with Greg, something along the lines of What the hell do you think you’re doing bringing strays into our house?

  Regardless of the outcome of their conversation, Tanya would be leaving this house. She didn’t know where she was going to go. Maybe she could go back to her dad’s now that Greg had had ‘words’ with him. Anything was preferable to being in a house where you weren’t welcome, no matter how beautiful it was.

  They sat around the table, both women thankful that Greg was leading the conversation. They drank tea and nibbled on biscuits, playing happy families, but Tanya kept catching Sarah’s eye. It felt like she was throwing little javelins at Tanya.

  “Right come on, Tanya,” Greg said, standing up. “We’ve got a whale to save.”

  Greg kissed his wife on the lips and his son on the forehead.

  They walked out to the car in bright sunshine.

  “Nice day. Bad news for beached whales,” Greg said.

  Tanya didn’t say anything.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  “Good, because I’ve got a small surprise for you on the way there.”

  Chapter 14

  Greg snatched up the handbrake until it clicked. They’d pulled into a neat and tidy new retail park, which was also completely soulless. The shops were arranged around the car park
in a giant ‘U’ shape. There was a planet-sized DIY store orbited by lots of little satellite shops selling everything you needed to kit out a house, plus the usual crap that nobody really needs but buys anyway. Amongst the homogenous retail units was a camping store.

  As they walked towards it, Tanya couldn’t figure out why you would need a camping store in the middle of London.

  Inside, the place had been designed to look like the great outdoors with lots of fake wood and rocks. All the store assistants were dressed like they were about to go on a hike, and there were shelves of odd-looking clothes and racks of strange pointless equipment. She had never been camping. She’d never even been out of London.

  “What do you need all this shit for?” Tanya asked.

  “Oh you’d be surprised. Half the fun of camping is having cool gadgets that do clever stuff. Check this out.” Greg pulled a pair of pliers off of a shelf and showed Tanya how it contorted into lots of other tools.

  “Wow.”

  “Good huh? It’s called a multi-tool, very handy if you’re out in the sticks. ”

  “That’s wicked. Can I have a go?”

  “Sure.”

  Greg tossed it to Tanya who played with it like a toddler with a new toy.

  “Come on, this way.”

  Tanya followed Greg while she experimented with the multi-tool. “What are we doing here anyway?”

  “I’m going to buy you something.”

  “What? What is it?”

  “Oh, it’s nothing much, but they’ll come in handy.”

  “Come on, tell me.”

  They walked over to the far corner where the whole wall was taken up with walking shoes and boots.

  “Oh, man, those shoes are well lame,” said Tanya.

  Greg laughed. “Yep, you’ve got a point, but we’re going for comfort and practicality, not fashion.”

  Tanya picked up various pairs, poking and prodding them, she even sniffed one pair. “So you’re buying me some of these nerdy shoes.”

  “Nope, but we are going to buy some wellies, ones that actually fit you properly.”

  “Can I help you?” asked an assistant. He was ridiculously outdoorsy, with a tanned face and a body that definitely got its five-a-day.

  “We need Wellingtons for this young lady,” said Greg.

  Tanya sniggered. Nobody had ever referred to her as a lady before or bought her Wellingtons. This was getting surreal. The outdoor guy didn’t look impressed at Tanya’s giggling. He was probably one of those serious types, and if Greg hadn’t been there, he’d be giving her a lecture about how the outdoors was a dangerous place and no laughing matter.

  “What size are you please?”

  “Seven,” replied Tanya, stifling another laugh. She knew she wasn’t supposed to laugh and that was making it worse.

  “Come on, Tanya, keep it together, they’re only wellies,” said Greg. “If you don’t behave I won’t buy you anything nice again,” he joked.

  Tanya closed her mouth, but continued to laugh, snorting through her nose.

  He returned with a large pair of black rubber boots and handed them to Tanya.

  “Now all I need’s a whip and some nipple clamps,” Tanya said winking at him. He didn’t smile. Neither did Greg. She kicked her shoes off and pulled on the boots.

  “Hey, I look kinda like a fascist.” Tanya leapt up and started marching in a goose step like a Nazi on parade. She stopped, swivelled around and clicked her heels together, except they didn’t click because of the soft rubber.

  “Sigue, heil, mein furhrer,” she said, making a Nazi salute.

  “Tanya, do they fit okay?” asked Greg.

  “Ja, mein kapitan.”

  “Okay, great we’ll take them,” said Greg. “Tanya knock off the amateur dramatics. It’s getting kind of annoying now.”

  Greg followed the shop assistant to the counter while Tanya goosestepped behind with her two fingers under her nose like a Hitler moustache. Greg tried to not look embarrassed but he knew that everyone’s eyes were on him and the oddball girl following him. He was just as surprised at her behaviour as they were. He chose to ignore her antics figuring that if he told her off he’d only throw fuel on the fire.

  As Greg was paying at the till he lent over to Tanya and whispered in her ear. “Oh, nearly forgot,” he said. “Could you put that multi-tool back on the shelf for me?”

  “What, multi-tool?”

  “The one you were playing with that’s now in your pocket.”

  “Dunno what you’re talking about.”

  “Yes, you do. Could you put it back on the shelf?”

  “No. ‘Cos I ain’t got it.”

  “Come on, Tanya. Why are you acting like this?”

  “Acting like what? You’re the one making stuff up.”

  Greg stood upright and took a deep breath. He shut his eyes momentarily as if trying to regain strength and then looked back at Tanya.

  “Please, Tanya. Just give me the tool and we’ll say no more about it.”

  “You’re the only tool around here.”

  By now they had attracted the attention of a few curious shoppers and some concerned staff. The guy who had served them came out from behind the counter and quietly spoke to Greg.

  “I’m really sorry, sir, but I’m going to have to ask you and your …” He paused, trying to find the appropriate term for Tanya. Greg could see him weighing up whether Tanya was his daughter or girlfriend, or even if Greg was her carer. “… companion to leave.”

  “Yes, I’m so sorry about this. We’ll be out of your hair in just a second.” Greg was worried that if they left with the multi-tool still in Tanya’s possession, the shop’s alarms would go off.

  “Don’t say sorry to him. He’s nobody,” Tanya said.

  Greg needed to find a way out of this, fast. His patience was wearing thin and if he lost it with Tanya he knew he would regret it. He also wasn’t stupid. He knew what she was doing. She wanted to find out where her boundaries were. He’d been just the same when he was younger. Anyone who tried to help him or show him kindness, got it thrown back at them. It was a test to see how genuine they were. And that was what Tanya was doing right now to see if Greg would stick around or back off at the first sign of trouble.

  Greg took the assistant by the arm and walked a couple of steps away from Tanya, so they had their backs to her.

  “I also want to pay for a multi-tool if I may. The small one.”

  “Sorry, but I’m afraid you’ll have to leave now.”

  Greg pulled some money out of his pocket and slyly pushed it into his hands. “There, that should cover it. She’s already got it on her, so it’ll probably set the alarm off when we leave, but we’ve paid haven’t we so that will be okay, won’t it.” Greg looked at him with pleading eyes.

  “I’ll have to put it through the till.”

  “Don’t worry about that. We won’t come back, I promise. Have a drink with the change, to make up for the hassle. I’m very sorry.”

  “Er, okay.”

  “Great, thank you.” Greg walked rapidly back to Tanya and gently ushered her out with his hand in the small of her back. The alarm cried out in protest the second she walked through the door.

  “Uh-oh, the alarm’s gone off,” Tanya said. “Now there’s going to be trouble. And you’re an accessory, Greg.”

  “Not this time.”

  Tanya looked annoyed that her little ploy hadn’t worked. Nobody stopped them as they walked back to the car and got in. Greg started the engine, and then turned it off again.

  “I know what you’re doing,” he said.

  “I’m not doing anything.”

  “You’re trying to push me away, aren’t you?”

  Tanya laughed, but it wasn’t a real one and she made no attempt to hide the cynicism it contained.

  This only gave Greg more proof that he was right. He knew Tanya was tough and her life so far had taught her how to survive. You could shout at her, threaten her, pun
ch her, kick her, even lock her up and she’d come back stronger, more defiant. The only thing she wasn’t equipped to deal with was someone being nice to her. And nobody was ever nice to her.

  “You can push me away all you like, Tanya,” said Greg. “But I’m not going anywhere. I’ll always be your friend.”

  “Ooh, you’re my friend now. Are you sure? Are you really sure? Maybe it’s just this you want.” Tanya pulled up her top, revealing her breasts. “Come on, Greg, you must want a go on these, everyone else does.”

  “Put your top down, Tanya. Cute as you are, even with your bruises, I’m afraid I don’t want a go on them.”

  “Homo.”

  “Homo? Did try it once, but I’m afraid it didn’t do anything for me.”

  “You? With another guy?”

  “Yep.”

  “Who?”

  “Well, you know Rog?”

  “You’re kidding me?”

  “Yeah, course I am. Although, Rog and that beard, he’s quite a catch.”

  Tanya laughed. This time it was a real one.

  “So you think I’m cute?”

  “Come on, Tanya, you’re making me sound like a pervert.”

  “Okay, if you were ten years younger …”

  “Try twenty.”

  “Okay, if you were twenty years younger, you’d fancy me?”

  “Let’s just say I’d definitely take you out for a fish supper.”

  “A what?”

  “A fish supper.”

  “What the hell is that?”

  “Have you not heard of a fish supper?”

  “No.”

  “It’s what we call fish and chips in Scotland.”

  “Oh, right, wow you certainly know how to show a girl a good time.”

  “Tanya, there’s something I need to tell you.”

  “What? Hang on, you’ve already told me you’re not gay, so it must be animals, and that’s why you became a vet, because you love doing it with animals.”

  “Well, it is to do with animals. It’s about the whale.”

  The mention of the whale suddenly threw a bucket of ice water over Tanya. After the performance she’d put on in the store, she’d nearly forgotten that all of this was for the whale.

  “What, he’s not dead is he?”