The Flower Girl

by Lilburne, Guy

  Maybe she thought that I wasn’t going to pay my bar bill. I decided it might be a lot easier just to stay out of her way. I felt really guilty now for not paying her, but I thought that it might be more trouble than it was worth trying to explain and I was sure that she just didn’t like me. I kept a low profile, finished my beer as quickly as I could and paid 100 baht for the beer, leaving a tip of 20 baht. The girl behind the bar wai’d to me. I nodded and smiled and walked back towards the dirty toilet. I didn’t want to risk walking past the angry Nui’s bar. I walked past the toilet and up along the alleyway. It brought me out onto another street that was brighter and cleaner than the one I had just walked from. I turned right and then right again onto Patak Road. I walked on the opposite side of the road towards my hotel, giving the bars a wide birth.

  There were more police outside my hotel. A police car and a motorbike and a few policemen were standing around outside. My God! They go to a lot of trouble over here for the sake of an eighty baht bottle of beer. I had heard some horror stories about innocent people being thrown into prisons abroad for not very much and I decided to stay away from any trouble. I thought it might be best if I made myself scarce for the rest of the night. I walked to the ‘roundabout’ or traffic circle (Karon Circle), with its white statues of Phuket’s mining and agricultural labourers. I turned left and walked along the Beach Road toward Kata Beach. It was a long walk, but at least it gave me a chance to clear my head and calm down from all the overreaction caused by Nui, who I decided now was not just big - she was fat.

  Kata was a lot busier than Karon and I just lost myself amongst the bars. I stopped feeling sorry for myself and drank beer until I was drunk. I remembered playing some silly dice games with a few of the girls in different bars. The winner was the one who was first to flick over some wooden pegs numbered one to nine and which spelled the word ‘Jackpot’.(With a dot at the beginning and end of the word to make up the nine pegs). I kept losing and had to buy a lot of drinks. I can’t remember which bars I had been into and I can’t remember who I had been speaking to. And I had absolutely no idea how I came to wake up naked in bed with some Thai girl in a grubby little hotel room. The room was painted a sickly orange colour and the lack of an air conditioning unit made it extremely hot. There were two bare wires hanging down from the ceiling, where I guessed a fan of some sort used to be a long time ago. The room smelt of a potent mix of sweat and stale beer. The Thai girl woke up as soon as I got out of bed to look out of the window. I had no idea where I was.

  “I have no idea where I am” I said.

  “We are in short time hotel in Kata” she smiled. I had never heard of the ‘Short Time Hotel’ and I had no clue where it was. But at least I was still in Kata, so I wasn’t too far from my own hotel. I don’t like to give any place a bad press, but I wouldn’t recommend the Short Time Hotel to anyone. It was a shit hole and I wouldn’t stay there again. No wonder they called it the Short Time Hotel, because you wouldn’t want to stay there for any longer than that.

  “Did we have sex?”

  “Yes. You Boom-boom very good. Much power.”

  “Oh! My pleasure Miss. You are very welcome.” I couldn’t help but smile. I think I was getting good at having sex. Maybe I was a natural after all.

  “Did I pay for the hotel?” I asked, not knowing if I had enough money left to pay for it this morning.

  “Yes. You already pay everything Sa-teven.” She jumped out of bed and went into the shower. I felt a bit rude because I had no idea what her name was and she obviously knew mine, but it didn’t seem the right moment to ask her now. She called me into the shower and we washed each other and then we got out and dried each other. Then she asked me if I wanted to pay for more Boom-boom. I didn’t even know I’d paid for the first one. Actually, I didn’t even know if there had been a first one. I was too drunk. Maybe there wasn’t a first Boom-boom.

  “No thanks. I think I had better get back to my own hotel, but thanks anyway. It’s very kind of you.”

  “No problem.” My new friend quickly got dressed once she knew I wasn’t going to give her any more money and she skipped out of the door, waving me goodbye as I was still getting my clothes on. I walked past the old lady on reception and I felt a bit embarrassed, but she didn’t even look at me. It was nice to walk back out into the bright sunshine. The sky was blue and it was a lovely day. Maybe I needed to try and just forget about Pin and get on with my holiday. It obviously wasn’t meant to be. It was easier said than done. I really was in love with her. I was just trying to think positive to make myself feel better. I saw a sign written on a blackboard in yellow chalk. ‘Full English Breakfast only 100 baht’. It seemed like a bargain and I was starving. I sat inside the bar/café and ordered it. It was delicious because I was hungry, but it wasn’t really a Full English. It was more of a cross between something American, but with a German sausage, some ham, some salad and even a slice of water melon. I have never had a Full English like this one anywhere in England. I was starting to understand Thailand and I was starting to like it. In Thailand, things were never quite what they seemed and things were never quite right, but it sort of worked if you just shrugged your shoulders and accepted that they meant well. So I shrugged my shoulders and ate my Full English.

  After finishing my breakfast, two cups of tea and some fresh orange juice, I walked back along the Beach Road in the direction of my hotel. I had sort of forgotten all about the big lady from the bar and the nonsense with the police, but then my world suddenly came crashing down around me. It stopped me in my tracks and I started shaking so much I could hardly walk or talk or even think. My nightmare was just about to start.

  There was a poster on the wall. It was my passport photo and it was a wanted poster. It read ‘SUSPECT WANTED. STEVEN WEST. In connection with the MURDER of THE FLOWER GIRL, Miss Pin Pistok. REWARD for any Information or sightings.

  POLICE Number 0855527819’.

  My passport photo! I didn’t even have my passport. The girl called Poo, who rented out the motorbikes had it, so how did the police get it? They must have traced my motorbike back to Poo. Shit!

  I read it several times. It was my name in big letters and I was wanted for the murder of Pin. The information just wouldn’t work its way into my brain. Did this mean that Pin was dead? It seemed impossible. I was starting to get worried about her and I had started to have a strange feeling that everything was not right. But murdered! There must be a mistake. There must be two mistakes. One, Pin can’t be dead and Two, I didn’t murder anyone. I read my name over and over again. Steven West. It was me alright. And if there was any doubt there was a blown up copy of my passport photo. I have to say it was a terrible photo and I actually did look like a murderer. I tried to run through all the possibilities in my mind. Had I done something bad in some kind of blackout or drunken stupor? Was it all some kind of mistake? Was Pin really alive or was she really dead? Was it some kind of joke? My mind was whirling and nothing made sense. I think I was in shock. My instinct was to pull the poster down, but I was too scared that someone would see me do it and I didn’t want to draw any attention to myself. If they had copied my passport photograph then they had already taken my passport. Oh my God! I was stranded in Thailand. I was a fugitive and on the run, wanted for a murder that I didn’t commit. The murder of the only woman I had ever loved and I was supposed to be on my holidays. What a nightmare!

  I needed some thinking time. I remembered that there was a big market on the Beach Road and I thought I might be able to buy some sunglasses and a hat to disguise myself a bit. I walked to the market, but with each step my own paranoia was growing. I was convinced that everyone was looking at me. I was sure that everyone knew who I was and what I was supposed to have done. I was in a cold sticky sweat and my head was pounding. I saw more posters of me stuck up on buildings and some attached to trees. Some were in English and some were in Thai. I
was wanted for murder in two different languages. I suddenly wanted to go to the toilet, but I think it was just nerves. I was sure the lady at the market stall recognised me and I was expecting the police to be waiting for me outside the market, but they weren’t. I had a new pair of sunglasses and a black baseball cap. I had also bought a pair of scissors and thought that they would come in handy later to cut my hair and further change my appearance. I don’t think I had ever been so scared in my entire life. I still hadn’t really come up with a plan. The only thing that I could think of was to ring my dad, but I didn’t know what to say to him and I didn’t want to upset him. I knew it was dangerous, but I had a strong urge to go and see if there was any police activity around my hotel. I made my way back to Patak Road and my heart started pounding in my chest as I approached the end of the cul-de-sac. I found myself holding my breath. I didn’t see any policemen, but there was a marked police car parked outside the front of the hotel. I suddenly had the urge to run, but I managed to hold it together and just carried on walking. I did a U-turn and headed back to Kata Beach. I picked up a tourist map of Phuket from one of the roadside kiosks, which sell the boat trips and sightseeing tours. I knew that I was in Karon Beach, but that is all that I knew. I didn’t know where Karon Beach was other than it was somewhere on the island of Phuket. I had to get my bearings and then I had to decide where to go. Most importantly I had to decide what I was going to do. I needed the map to plan my escape from Phuket. I was so wrapped up in my own fear that I hadn’t thought about poor Pin, I just couldn’t believe that she was dead. I felt very lost and alone. In one word, I was Terrified.

  I used my bankcard to get 10,000 baht (£200) out of the ATM and then used the phone kiosk next to it to phone my dad. The phone clicked and buzzed and I didn’t think I was going to get through, but then my dad answered it.

  “Hello!”

  “Hello Dad. It’s me.”

  “What have you done Steven?”

  “I haven’t done anything Dad.” I couldn’t stop myself from breaking into tears.

  “The local police have been here and searched your room and you have been on the telly, son.” Dad sounded really depressed and I think he was in as much shock as I was.

  “What are they saying Dad?”

  “They are saying that you are wanted by the Thai Police for the murder of some Flower Girl, but I know that you didn‘t do it, son.”

  “Dad, I absolutely promise you that I never did anything.”

  “I know son. Don’t worry. You have a good alibi. It must be a case of mistaken identity.”

  “I have an alibi?”

  “Yes, of course. The murder happened 12 months ago. You were in England then, so it couldn’t have been you.”

  “What are you talking about Dad?”

  “On the BBC News it was saying that the girl was murdered 12 months ago and they suspected that it was her English boyfriend who had done it, but nobody knew who it was until he just returned to Phuket. They named the suspect as you. So it must be a mistake, son. Where are you now?”

  “I’m on the run.”

  “Why son? I think you should hand yourself in and explain that it is impossible for you to be the murderer, because this is the first time that you have ever left the UK. You have a cast iron alibi.”

  I couldn’t take in what my dad was saying to me. Nothing was making sense.

  “Dad, are they saying that The Flower Girl was murdered 12 months ago?”

  “Yes, she had had her head bashed in with some kind of blunt weapon and she was thrown into the sea. She actually drowned. Her and her unborn baby both killed. The baby was a little girl. What a shame. Tragic.”

  “Dad, that is impossible. I was with her two days ago. There must be two Flower Girls. Dad, I have to go now. I need to think. I just don’t understand anything that is going on. This is all madness. There is something very wrong going on. I’ll try and ring you again Dad.”

  “I love you, son.”

  “I love you too Dad.” I was still sobbing when I put the phone down. I was sobbing because I was scared, but even in the midst of my own fear my dad had just made me happy, because he had just said that he loved me. It was the first time in all my life that he had ever said this to me. Maybe he did love me after all. I wiped my tears and blew my nose on my T-shirt. I know that’s disgusting but I didn’t have anything else to hand. I carried on walking towards Kata along the Beach Road. I couldn’t think anymore. I just couldn’t take in anymore and I couldn’t make sense of anything. My head felt like it was going to explode with the pressure. I crossed over the road to the beach and sat on a bench in the shade of some palm trees and just looked out to sea. I can’t tell you what happened for the next eight hours. I cannot tell you what I was thinking, if indeed I was thinking anything at all. I just sat there and stared and I just sort of closed down. My mind, my body, everything. I don’t know if it was shock or panic or some kind of out of body experience but, whatever it was, I just sat there for the next eight hours thinking and doing nothing. Empty in body, mind and spirit.

  It was dark when I came out of my trance like state. It was 7:30pm and, as always in Thailand, it was so very hot. I watched some huge Chinese lanterns floating up in the sky. They must have been lit somewhere a bit further down the beach, because they were still climbing slowly up in the warm tropical night air. There was something very beautiful about them. I made a wish. It was a very simple wish. I just wished that Pin was OK, wherever she was. I felt a lot more relaxed and calmer than I had done before. I don’t know what had happened to me while I had spent that day just sitting on the bench, but I just felt different. I needed to talk to someone who could tell me about The Flower Girl. My Flower Girl, my Pin.

  It was just starting to dawn on me that the girl I had fallen in love with was a ghost. I had a great feeling of loss, but I also had a great feeling of pride and love that she had chosen me. I don’t know much about ghosts and spirits and, to be honest, before all this happened I didn’t really believe in them, but I certainly do now. I was feeling calmer, because I realised that my beautiful Pin had come back to tell me her story. She was murdered by her boyfriend, but nobody knew who he was. Well, I knew now who it was she had told me all about him. The only problem was I couldn’t remember most of what she had said. The shock and panic had wiped it from my mind. The only thing I could remember was that his name was Dean, he was from England and he was married. Maybe more would come back to me if I could relax a bit more and stop the feeling of panic. I had spent the day being so scared, but now I wasn’t. Now I was worried about my dad, but I wasn’t really worried so much about myself anymore. I knew that I had done nothing wrong. In fact, I was feeling sort of special, because I had been chosen by Pin for a very special purpose. I suddenly understood that now.

  “I know you are here somewhere Pin. I know you are watching me. If it is possible I want to see you again but, if you cannot, then I understand. I just want you to know that I love you. I love you and I won’t let you down. I can’t remember all the things that you told me about Dean, but I am going to try and do my best to find him. I wish I was a bit braver and a bit more intelligent Pin. I have to say that I think you might have picked the wrong person to help you, but I do love you. I will do my best and, because I remember the feelings that we had between us, I know that you will now do your best to help me. I love you Pin but, if I need some help or guidance, then don’t be afraid to step in and help. OK?” I said. Pin didn’t answer, but I knew in my heart that she was there and I knew that she heard me.

  Chapter 9

  Getting arrested isn’t as much fun as you think.

  I took the scissors that I had bought and cut my hair as short as I could with them. I didn’t have a mirror and I wasn’t a qualified hairdresser. When I later saw the result in the mirror, I had to admit that I had made a right mess of it. Anyway, af
ter cutting my hair I put on the hat and sunglasses and walked back towards my hotel. I wanted to find a bar close to where I had first seen Pin, because I wanted to ask about her and what they knew about her ex-boyfriend Dean. I walked up Patak Road, giving Nui’s bar a wide birth. I walked past a few bars with all the usual scantily clad girls calling out the usual stock phrases of “Hello handsome man” and “Where you go?”

  I smiled and waved, but kept moving. I found a bar up towards the old temple. It wasn’t a busy bar and a couple of bar girls were playing pool. Four more were playing some kind of card game and betting for coins. One girl was asleep on the floor under a table and there was an older lady behind the bar. It had a good feel to the place and I thought that it was quiet enough for me to ask the lady behind the bar some questions about The Flower Girl.

  I bought a bottle of Chang beer and asked the lady behind the bar if she would like a drink too. She beamed me a huge smile and I suddenly realised how attractive she was. She was probably in her late 40’s, but she had a pretty face and a great body, with big breasts. Well, at least for a Thai lady. She had a little red mini dress on, which was cut low and displayed a tiger’s head tattoo on one of her breasts and another tiger climbing high up on her right thigh. She had a certain confidence about her and I guessed that she had been working the bars for a long time.

  “Khob Khun Ka,” (Thank you) she smiled and wai’d to me. I wai’d back to her and she laughed.

  “Your first time in Thailand?” she said.

  “Yes. How do you know?”

  “Because you don’t have to wai to bar lady. Only first time farang wai to bar lady, go-go dancers, tuk-tuk drivers and people in shops.” She laughed again.

  “Is this your bar?” I asked.