Down in the Woods

by Gary Philpott

  “How?”

  “I told you before; I wouldn’t be where I am without some influence around these parts. I will sort it for you.”

  “I cannot ask you to pay for my plane.”

  “Huh, I will if I have to, but I have other ideas.”

  Once Anna had told Jonathan how far away she was staying, he insisted upon taking her to Kevin’s house in a taxi.

  “Sorry to bring you back here, but I don’t trust myself.”

  “You do not trust yourself?”

  “Look, if push comes to shove, you can stay at my place. I will just have to control my urges if need be.”

  “You want sex with me?”

  “I like you. You are an attractive woman. Of course I want sex with you, but it ain’t going to happen. Do you get my drift?”

  “You are such a nice man Jonathan, one day a woman will make you very happy. You will make her very happy.”

  “And pretty soon you will be making this Anton of yours very happy, mark my words.”

  Anna smiled as she remembered him using that phrase before, but she could not remember the context. “I hope so.”

  “I know so.” He held her chin between his finger and thumb. “Now look me in the eye, Anna. If that guy in there tries to get you to turn tricks, you just telephone me and I will come and get you.”

  “I love you, Jonathan.”

  “Huh, no you don’t. You are just one desperate woman. Now, before I say or do something I regret, get yourself inside. And make sure you take care of yourself. Here, take this.” He held out ten twenty-pound notes, folded in three. “That should help keep you out of trouble for a week or so.”

  “I cannot.”

  “Yes you can.” He pushed the notes into her palm and then closed her hand with his.

  “Thank you.”

  “Come and see me again in a day or two.”

  “I will.” Anna stepped out of the taxi, and then turned to watch it pull away, taking away Jonathan as it did so.

  She felt lonely, she felt vulnerable, but she also felt determined. She was going home to Riga, whatever it took.

  Chapter 15

  “I’m going to slip away.”

  “Oh Felicity, you can’t go.”

  “You seem to have made a few friends. All I am doing is cramping your style.” Felicity gulped down the remains of her fifth glass of Chenin Blanc of the evening.

  “Where will you go?” asked Rosemary.

  “Oh, I don’t know, but this is London. I will think of somewhere.”

  “Why not at least stay for the show? It starts at eleven.”

  “You don’t need me with you to watch a burlesque striptease. You will enjoy it more on your own, or maybe with someone else.”

  “I am not so sure about that.”

  “Rosemary, let yourself go a bit, and to hell with the consequences. Have some fun, what harm can come of it?”

  “Well…”

  “Exactly. And our bed is big enough for three if you are feeling a bit adventurous.”

  “No, I would not do that to you. I will not bring anyone back to our room.”

  “Why not? I know I am a bit tipsy, but I would not suggest such a thing if I were going to be there to witness it.”

  “Felicity, you are up to something.”

  “I am yes, but I am not going to tell you what. The best thing you can do is to stop worrying about me, and get up to something yourself. In fact, get up to no good.”

  “Ooh, I have just realised what you were suggesting.”

  “Do it Rosemary. I challenge you to do it. I challenge you to sleep with at least two women tonight. I can see there are not too many poor people here, but I bet most of them would still jump at the chance to spend a wanton night at the Dorchester.”

  “Do you think I could?”

  “Of course you could. You are one attractive woman. Stop messing around in Berkshire and get yourself onto the London scene.”

  “I might give it a try.”

  Felicity kissed her on the cheek.

  “Felicity…Is it a man?”

  “Yes, it’s a man. Remember, what happens at a lesbian party, stays at the lesbian party.”

  “Or in a Dorchester bed,” giggled Rosemary.

  “I will see you after breakfast.” Felicity passed her empty glass to Rosemary.

  “Yes, see you after breakfast.”

  “Felicity.”

  “Andrew. Sorry I am late, I had trouble getting away.”

  “I didn’t mind waiting. Can I take your coat?”

  “No, I would prefer to keep it on.”

  Andrew was feeling warm in just his jacket and tie, so did not understand why Felicity was keeping her coat on. “Let me get you a drink.”

  “A glass of champagne please.”

  “You are a one.”

  “Why, Andrew?”

  “You insist on meeting in a pub, but you still want to drink champagne.”

  “Is that a problem?”

  “No, not at all, you can have a whole bottle if you wish.”

  “Well, now you mention it.”

  “You are joking, right?”

  Felicity laughed. “I am tipsy enough already. A bottle would blow away all my inhibitions.”

  “I say, that sounds promising.”

  “Come here.” She took hold of his lapel and pulled him towards her. After kissing him on the lips, she pulled the top of her coat forward. “If you are in any doubt about what I am going to do to you tonight, have a look down there.”

  He dropped his eyes and grinned. Her breasts were bulging out of the top of a green corset dress. Andrew stood back and ran his eyes down to the black and green polka dot heels, adorned with a green bow, on her feet.

  “Where have you come from?” he asked.

  “A lesbian burlesque party.”

  He smiled. “Oh, I didn’t realise you were bi.”

  “I am not bi.”

  “Perhaps I best get you that drink. Are you sure you want it?”

  “Of course I want it.”

  “Okay, just checking.”

  As she waited for Andrew’s return, Felicity became aware of a number of men who seemed fixated with her shoes. Or maybe her fishnet covered calves. She started to regret meeting Andrew in a pub.

  “Here you are.” He passed her a glass of sparkling wine. “It’s only Martini Asti I’m afraid. That was the best they had.

  “Serves me right I guess.”

  “Serves you right for what?”

  “For meeting you in a pub. I just thought there was less chance of bumping into someone I did not want to bump into.”

  “Ah, now I understand.”

  Felicity tilted her head back and drained the glass into her mouth. “We should go.”

  “Oh, right.” Andrew placed his half-full bottle of San Miguel on the nearest table.

  “Which way? asked Felicity, once they were out on the pavement.

  “Left, and left again. You should recognise my car.”

  “Oh yes. Is it better now?”

  “It is all tickety-boo. Every cloud has a silver lining.”

  “Explain.”

  He knew she was fishing for a compliment, so he indulged her. “You bumping into my car was the cloud, you climbing into it is going to be the silver lining.”

  Andrew pressed the fob, all four of the car’s indicators flashed.

  “Felicity?”

  “Yes?”

  He skipped ahead of her and opened the passenger’s door.

  “Before you get in, could you take your coat off?”

  “I could, but why should I?” she teased.

  “It is not often I get to drive Alacard with a beautiful woman by my side. It would make me happy.”

  “Alacard?” she sniggered. “What sought of name is that for a car?”

  “I have this thing about Dracula movies. Alacard is Dracula backwards. I don’t know, I just thought it was something different.”

 
Felicity reached into the pockets of her coat. “Here, hold those for me.” She passed him two long velvet gloves and started to unbutton her coat.

  “Thank you.” His eyes soaked up her outfit.

  “I am not shagging in a car.”

  “No, as agreed, my place.” He took her coat and watched her climb into the car. The sight of her frilly knickers brought a smile to his face.

  “Pass me my gloves.”

  Andrew held on to her coat, but passed Felicity her gloves. Before closing the door, he watched her pull them on, all the way past her elbows. He imagined her gloved hand gliding up and down his penis.

  Felicity’s head was as exactly the right level to notice the bulge in his trousers. “Any other requests?” she asked.

  “Umm, you could sit with your legs open.” If she was not drunk, he would not have made such a request. He had planned on seducing her with flowers, candlelight and Andreas Bocelli. Alcohol seemed to have done the seduction work for him.

  “Open my legs. That’s easy. I thought you might ask for a blowjob.”

  “Later,” he joked.

  As Felicity moved her feet apart, Andrew wondered how far he would be able to push her later that night. She was not proving to be the challenge he first thought her to be. With naughty ideas sweeping through his mind, he closed the car door.

  “Anna, this is not easy, but Kevin and I have a problem.”

  Anna immediately realised this was the moment she had been waiting for. She took an extra large breath and vowed to stay calm.

  “What is it?”

  “I know you think Kevin has a lot of money, but he doesn’t. He will have when he’s older, but much of what we spend is borrowed money.”

  “He owns this big house. He takes rent from the women.”

  “Look, let me explain. Actually, his parents own this house, and he has a large mortgage on the one they live in. It was a deal they did a few years ago. His parents had retired and were talking about selling up and moving to Buxton. Buxton is a nice place in the Peak District. Surrounded by hills, and they love walking.”

  “Kevin wanted to stay in London, so came up with a solution. He used his savings to pay the deposit on a cottage in Buxton and he pays the mortgage on it. It is in his name, and he is on the electoral register for that address. This house is still in his parent’s names.”

  Anna looked around the room. “When they die, this house is his, yes?”

  “Yes, he will inherit this house. He will then own two houses. The rent he receives from the rooms here pays the mortgage on the Buxton cottage. It also provides a little extra for his parents and us.”

  Anna thought about letting Sofia know that she knew the rents Kevin charged were a lot higher than the norm, but she bit her tongue.

  “The thing is, we need some income from your room. If we don’t make something on it we are going to get deeper and deeper into debt. And we will not have enough money to get Anton back to England.”

  Anna had not anticipated that piece of emotional blackmail. A little doubt crept into her thinking. Did she need to do something to help get Anton back? No, she told herself, she was going to Anton, not the other way round. Thoughts of Anton not agreeing with her plan flashed through her mind. She pushed them back, she had to stay strong.

  “Have you heard from Anton?” she asked.

  “No,” lied Sofia, she had intercepted a letter to Anna. In the letter, Anton had asked Anna to get back to Riga as soon as possible. “He will write soon, I am sure of it. Give him time.”

  “I will find work soon. I will pay for my room.”

  “We have a girl lined up. She is ready and willing to pay five-hundred a week.”

  Despite the money she had seen changing hands, the figure still shocked Anna. Her face said just as much.

  “If you did the right sort of work, you could afford the rent.”

  “I do not understand. How can this girl afford so much?”

  “All the girls pay the same, Anna. Why don’t you give it a try?”

  “Give it a try?”

  “Look, do you remember Clive?”

  “Clive is Jasmine’s boyfriend, yes?”

  “Well, I wouldn’t call him her boyfriend, but yes. The thing is; he has expressed an interest in you on more than one occasion.”

  “Clive is not Jasmine’s boyfriend?” Anna was determined not to make this easy for Sofia.

  “No, they are quite friendly, but he is not her boyfriend. I guess you would call him a regular client.”

  “Kevin is a pimp?”

  “No Anna. Kevin is a landlord. What the girls do in their rooms is down to them.”

  “He charges a very high rent though.”

  “Yes he does. Look Anna, sex and money are what make the world go round. The girls are like you, they are illegal immigrants who need the money. Kevin doesn’t ask any questions, and he lets them get on with making enough money for a good life. Everybody is a winner.”

  “You are asking me to be like Jasmine?”

  “Yes. Clive would be a good first punter. All he ever wants is a little massage, followed by a covered blowjob and then a shag, with a condom. You’re not going to catch anything, and Anton need never know. I’ll teach you the ropes.”

  “You are asking me to have sex for money, sex with someone other than Anton. I love Anton, I could not do that.”

  “Oh, come on, Anna. I bet Anton is shagging someone as we speak.”

  “No, Anton would not do that.” Anna could feel her blood starting to boil.

  “He’s a man. Of course he would do that. He did it before you arrived.”

  “You are lying.”

  “I am not. Look, there is no easy way of telling you this, but I let Anton fuck me a few times. He was lonely. Men need to fuck. He is a good looking guy, he will have offers. He will not turn a good looking girl down. He did not turn me down.”

  “Anton did not fuck you. He did not squeeze your tits in the detention centre.”

  “He squeezed my tits, Anna. And he fucked me, more than once.”

  “I do not believe this.”

  “He likes it doggy, does he not?”

  “Doggy is like a dog, yes?”

  “Yes, like a dog, from behind.”

  A relieved Anna calmed down. Anna liked sex that way, but Anton preferred the missionary position or her on top. He had a thing about watching her boobs wobble while they did it. It always took him over the edge.

  “Anton would not be unfaithful to me.”

  “All men are sex driven. They struggle to go without it for any length of time. That is exactly why they are willing to pay through the nose for it.”

  “Clive will pay me for sex?” Anna’s curiosity was taking over.

  “Yes.” Sofia suddenly looked optimistic.

  “How much would he pay for me?”

  “I would suggest a short discounted session for your first outing. Let’s say sixty for thirty minutes.”

  Anna’s brain went to work on the maths. “I would need to have about nine men a week to pay the rent?”

  “I guess that is about right. Jasmine aims for five a day. But a lot of hers’ stay for more than thirty minutes. If you get a regular girlfriend experience going, ninety minute sessions are not uncommon.”

  “Ninety minutes?”

  “Yes. Most blokes only come the once, so you get paid one-twenty an hour for a gentle massage and chatting to them. All tax free, of course.”

  Anna feigned a laugh. “I cannot chat in English.”

  “You chat with me. Besides, most of them love an accent. They like fucking foreigners.”

  “How would I find these men?”

  “As an illegal immigrant, you can’t go through an escort agency. I know Chloe uses an adult dating site. You know, ‘sexy vixens in your area looking for no-strings sex tonight’. It’s all totally anonymous because of all the silly names they use.”

  “Do they ever get rough?”

  “Not in a
house in a neighbourhood like this, they don’t. Even if no one else is in, the punters don’t know that.”

  “I could always use a condom, yes?”

  “That would be up to you. At least start that way until you learn to recognise the signs. But if you do ride bare-back, make sure you charge extra. The same goes for A-levels. You might want to include oral without as standard.”

  Anna decided to end the conversation. “Do I have time to think about this?”

  “If I say two days, do you think you will be able to give me your decision by then?”

  “Yes. I think I will do this. I need a little time, I want to be sure.”

  “Of course you do, Anna. You won’t regret it. Let the good times roll.”

  Two nights later, the doorbell rang. Kevin went to answer it, expecting it to be a man asking for one of the girls. If that were the case, he would do what always did. Ask if the man was a friend of the girl’s, and direct him up if the answer was yes. That way, if a tape was running somewhere, he had said nothing that could be used in court against him.

  There was something about the man standing on the doorstep that made him feel ill at ease. The man held his head high and stood up straight. He did not look hesitant and sheepish, like most punters did. He also looked too young.

  Kevin started to adlib. “As you can see, we’ve already got double-glazing, and the loft is well insulated.”

  “No my friend, I am here for Anna.”

  “Anna? Are you sure?”

  “Oh, I’m sure.”

  “Are you a friend of hers’ then?”

  “I am, yes.”

  “You had best come in then.”

  “No, I am not setting foot inside there, my friend. I want you to go upstairs and help Anna down with her case.”

  “Her case?”

  “Yes, the case I bought her.”

  “Sorry mate, I think you have the wrong house. I’m not getting any of this.”

  “Your name is Kevin, right?”

  “It is, but…”

  “And you are married to a tart called Sofia.”

  “Fuck off, would you.” Kevin went to close the door.

  Jonathan put his foot in the way. “Go and get Anna’s luggage.”

  “Look mate, you’re asking for a punch on the nose.”

  “That’s right, I am. But before you do that I would advise you to look at the two men sitting in the car across the road. They’re a bit bigger than me.”